Unf*cking The Republic
Unf*cking The Republic® (UNFTR) is a series of audio essays on the grand American experiment lovingly curated and presented by a quasi-anonymous political writer. Each essay reflects on a singular topic that is generally misunderstood or purposely obfuscated by the so-called “powers that be.” As we know, history is written by the victors and can be perilously manufactured to favor destructive world views. These views become intractably ingrained in the public consciousness and pervert public policy, oftentimes with horrific results. As of this podcast’s founding, we find ourselves living in a true kakistocracy. The disconnect between what we believe a...
Thu, April 17, 2025
The U.S. Dollar and 10 Year Treasury: Why Economists Are Freaking the F*ck Out.
Are there hidden market patterns that signal massive economic change? A weak dollar and rising yield on the ten year treasuries sent Wall Street into panic mode over fears that Trump was torching the global economy with his tariff wars. Since 1945 the U.S. dollar has been the bedrock of the global economy. Trump’s reckless behavior has allies and enemies alike wondering if this is the end of U.S. hegemony in the world. Last week when the dollar and ten year treasury yield briefly split, the global bond market suddenly came into focus and was on everyone’s radar. This episode boils down the jargon to explain what’s going on and why everyone freaked out. Ultimately, while we may not tear down the global order, there’s no question that we won’t restore faith in the U.S. Dollar and economy until Trump is out of office. Access the episode Show Notes. Resources Compound Real Estate Bonds: Bond Vigilantes: Definition, Role & Impact on Markets EWA: The Relationship Between US Dollar Index and US 10 Year Treasury Bond Investopedia: Bonds: Treasury Yields and Interest Rates CNBC: Investors are growing concerned about a U.S. asset exodus as Treasurys and the dollar decline Privalgo: The relationship between bond yields and currencies ScienceDirect: International capital flows and U.S. interest rates St. Louis Fed: Nominal Broad U.S. Dollar Index (DTWEXBGS) St. Louis Fed: Market Yield on U.S. Treasury Securities at 10-Year Constant Maturity, Quoted on an Investment Basis (DGS10) Darden Report Online: What the Sell-Off in Treasuries Means for Your Mortgage The Washington Post: Fact Check: Has Trump declared bankruptcy four or six times? -- If you like #UNFTR, please leave us a rating and review on Apple Podcasts and Spotify: unftr.com/rate and follow us on <a href="https://www.face
Fri, April 11, 2025
Phone A Friend: Zohran Mamdani. Meet the Democratic Socialist Candidate Making Waves in NYC’s Mayoral Race.
We have a cool one for you today, a conversation with New York City mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani. Currently, Mamdani is a member of the New York State Assembly. He’s a Democratic Socialist running in the Democratic primary against a pretty busy slate of contenders, and he’s polling second to former Governor Andrew Cuomo, who only recently entered the race. Now Mamdani was the first candidate to hit the fundraising threshold for city matching funds—setting it in record time—and doing it primarily through small dollar donations. His campaign is extremely organized, and it’s galvanized New Yorkers in every borough with a stunning clarity of message. Now, in many ways, to us, at least, Zohran has captured the zeitgeist as it feels like his campaign is a proxy for the discontent felt not just in urban areas, but throughout the country. So it’s our great pleasure to welcome to the show Zohran Mamdani. Resources Zohran for NYC Website Zohran on Facebook Zohran on Instagram Zohran on TikTok Zohran on Bluesky UNFTR Resources Watch the interview on YouTube. Access the transcript. -- If you like #UNFTR, please leave us a rating and review on Apple Podcasts and Spotify: unftr.com/rate and follow us on Facebook , Bluesky , TikTok and Instagram at @UNFTRpod. Visit us online at unftr.com . Join our Discord at unftr.com/discord . Become a member at unftr.com/memberships . Buy yourself some Unf*cking Coffee at shop.unftr.com . Visit our bookshop.org page at bookshop.org/shop/UNFTRpod to find the full UNFTR book list, and find book recommendations from our Unf*ckers at bookshop.org/lists/unf-cker-book-recommendations . Access the UNFTR Musicless feed by following the instructions at unftr.com/accessibility . Unf*cking the Republic is produced by 99 and engineered by Manny Faces Media ( mannyfacesmedia.com ).
Sat, April 05, 2025
Trump is Singlehandedly Manifesting Stagflation.
Probably the scariest, most dreaded term in economics is stagflation. Those who lived through the crisis in the 1970s can attest to this. In short, stagflation is defined as a period of low-to-no economic growth combined with high unemployment and high inflation. It’s a deadly recipe that took extraordinary measures to break the last time we experienced this phenomenon, and the method used back then is still highly contested territory. If you’ve heard the term more often in recent months, it’s because some economists are beginning to fear a resurgence of stagflation due to the policies of the Trump administration. So today we’re doing a very deep dive into the economy to discuss the differences between now and the crisis of the ‘70s and show how Trump might be singlehandedly pushing us into an entirely new and preventable stagflation crisis. Access the Show Notes online. Chapters Intro: 00:01:00 The Phillips Curve: 00:03:34 Unemployment and Labor: 00:17:18 Trump's Conundrum: 00:20:05 Time to Rewind: 00:24:53 Lessons and Insights: 00:30:19 Post Show Musings: 00:42:28 Outro: 00:54:13 Resources Investopedia: What Is Stagflation, What Causes It, and Why Is It Bad? The New York Times: Strong Dollar vs. Weak Dollar Office of the Historian: Oil Embargo, 1973–1974 Federal Reserve History: The Great Inflation NBER: The Nixon Shock after Forty Years: The Import Surcharge Revisited Douglas A. Irwin Working Paper 17749 FRED: Personal Saving Rate FRED: New Privately-Owned Housing Units Started: Total Units FRED: Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers: Food in U.S. City Average BIG by Matt Stoller UNFTR Episode Resources Housing First: Non-Negotiable #1. The Energy Independence Myth. Building a Civilian Labor Corps: Bracing for the AI Job Apocalypse. Non-Negotiable #2. The Global Order of Money: How Exactly Does It Make the World Go ’Round? -- If you like
Sat, March 22, 2025
Show Notes [The Climate Trust.]
Fresh off the heels of our fifth and final Non-Negotiables of the Left series, 99 and I spent some time in the studio reviewing feedback from the UNFTR audience. While I stomped my feet like a toddler, 99 was able to finally get me under control and a productive conversation ensued. The upshot is that the feedback was fairly muted, with most of you signaling that the Climate Trust is out of step with the other four Non-Negotiables. While I stand by the concept of Social Security for the planet and the funding mechanism behind the idea, I hear you. In the consolidated episode that will serve as the baseline for our curriculum moving forward, I’m making notes and adjustments to improve this perspective. Chapters Intro: 00:00:20 Emails + Comments: 00:16:25 Memberships: 01:23:13 Outro: 01:25:42 Resources Spring Fund, Friend, and Hell Raiser: Become a UNFTR Member or donate today, and subscribe to us on YouTube The Ezra Klein Show: Democrats Need to Face Why Trump Won UNFTR Episode Resources The Climate Trust: Non-Negotiable #5. UNFTR Non-Negotiables. A (Mostly) Vegan World. -- If you like #UNFTR, please leave us a rating and review on Apple Podcasts and Spotify: unftr.com/rate and follow us on Facebook , Bluesky , TikTok and Instagram at @UNFTRpod. Visit us online at unftr.com . Buy yourself some Unf*cking Coffee at shop.unftr.com . Check out the UNFTR Pod Love playlist on Spotify: spoti.fi/3yzIlUP. Visit our bookshop.org page at bookshop.org/shop/UNFTRpod to find the full UNFTR book list, and find book recommendations from our Unf*ckers at bookshop.org/lists/unf-cker-book-recommendations . Access the UNFTR Musicless feed by following the instructions at unftr.com/accessibility . Unf*cking the Republic is produced by 99 and engineered by Manny Faces Media (<a href="https://ww
Sat, March 15, 2025
The Climate Trust: Non-Negotiable #5.
This is the final installment of our 5 Non-Negotiables of the Left series where we detail three short-term goals to take back the country and two long-term fights that must be waged for the sake of our democracy and the planet. This fifth entry speaks to the now back-burnered but ever-present threat to life on this planet: Climate change. This is the most difficult case we’ll make to you. We expect pushback and disappointment at first but if we do our job, we’ll shift you to acknowledgement and resolve. This fifth Non-Negotiable isn’t for us. It’s for someone you might know, but more than likely it’s for someone you’ll never meet. We present the establishment of The Climate Trust: Social Security for the Planet. Chapters Intro: 00:00:57 Chapter One: Diet, Exercise and Nuclear Power. 00:01:25 Chapter Two: The Social Cost of Carbon. 00:06:21 Chapter Three: Settling into Reality. 00:10:37 Chapter Four: We’ve Known It All Along. 00:17:55 Non-Negotiable #5: The Climate Trust. 00:26:36 Post Show Musings: 00:30:30 Outro: 01:23:22 Resources IPCC: Summary for Policymakers — Special Report on Climate Change and Land Institute for Policy Integrity: Gauging Economic Consensus on Climate Change The Center for Climate & Security: Chronology of Military and Intelligence Concerns About Climate Change World Economic Forum: This is How Climate Change Could Impact The Global Economy Swiss Re: World economy set to lose up to 18% GDP from climate change if no action taken, reveals Swiss Re Institute's stress-test analysis The New York Times: 40 Million People Rely on the Colorado River. It’s Drying Up Fast. The Black Vault: Global Climate Change Implications for the U.S. Navy Thomas Malthus: On the Principle of Population United Nations: Food Systems Summit United Nations: Secretary-General’s C
Sat, March 08, 2025
Trump Unhinged and Third Parties.
This week is an attempt to organize disparate content pieces from the past few weeks. Thoughts on third parties, Trump’s address to the joint session of Congress (which we mistakenly referred to as the State of the Union, oops!), notes on the final non-negotiables and random thoughts Max is working through. We’ve got a mashup of sorts on our hands so prepare for a bit of rambling. Resources UNFTR Non-Negotiables Associated Press: Elissa Slotkin delivers Democratic response to Trump’s speech Britannica: United States presidential election of 1912 Time: How Ross Perot Changed Political Campaigns LWV: The League's History Sponsoring Presidential Debates The Commission on Presidential Debates Tampa Bay Times: Nader, Buchanan kept out of debate -- If you like #UNFTR, please leave us a rating and review on Apple Podcasts and Spotify: unftr.com/rate and follow us on Facebook , Bluesky , TikTok and Instagram at @UNFTRpod. Visit us online at unftr.com . Buy yourself some Unf*cking Coffee at shop.unftr.com . Check out the UNFTR Pod Love playlist on Spotify: spoti.fi/3yzIlUP. Visit our bookshop.org page at bookshop.org/shop/UNFTRpod to find the full UNFTR book list, and find book recommendations from our Unf*ckers at bookshop.org/lists/unf-cker-book-recommendations . Access the UNFTR Musicless feed by following the instructions at unftr.com/accessibility . Unf*cking the Republic is produced by 99 and engineered by Manny Faces Media ( mannyfacesmedia.com ). Original music is by Tom McGovern ( tommcgovern.com ). The show is hosted by Max and distributed by 99. Podcast art description: Image of the US Constitution ripped in the middle revealing white text on a blue background that says, "Unf*cking the
Sat, February 22, 2025
Election Integrity: Getting Money Out of Politics. Non-Negotiable #4.
The movement to get money out of politics will take a very long time. I know people don’t want to hear that. My guess is, in the best case scenario, we’re looking at 20 years. Best case. If it makes you feel any better, the movement to get money into politics took 181 years so by that measure, two decades to unravel what took 181 to build isn’t all that bad. Either we’re committed to playing the long game or not. The assholes that got us here were. Chapters Intro: 00:00:33 Chapter One: Non-Negotiable #4. 00:01:11 Chapter Two: The Long and Winding Road to Citizens United. 00:07:05 Chapter Three: Media Complicity. The Revolution Was Already Televised. 00:16:46 Chapter Four: Defying Its Creator. The Tale of Mitch McGolem. 00:20:43 Bring it Home, Max: 00:28:47 Post Show Musings: 00:37:13 Outro: 01:11:09 Resources OpenSecrets: Money-in-Politics Timeline Brennan Center for Justice: Since Citizens United, a Decade of Super PACs Cambridge University: Dark Parties: Unveiling Nonparty Communities in American Political Campaigns De Gruyter: Television Advertising in the 2022 Midterms De Gruyter: Digital Advertising in the 2022 Midterms Bowdoin College: Government Scholar Michael Franz on Impact of Ads during the 2024 Election Cycle Brennan Center for Justice: Life Tenure for U.S. Supreme Court Justices Is a Global Oddity with Clear Costs Ballotpedia News: Looking ahead at 2025 ranked-choice voting legislation Justia: Citizens United v. FEC | 558 U.S. 310 (2010) Senate: Saving American Democracy Amendment Constitution Center: In
Sun, February 16, 2025
Show Notes [Misc.]
Max and 99 are back for Show Notes! They catch up with some movie talk and dive deep into the Non-Negotiables and hives. Enjoy! Chapters Intro: 00:00:20 Housekeeping: 00:19:47 Emails: 00:32:20 Memberships: 01:23:32 Outro: 01:24:59 Resources Join us on Bluesky and Discord Ken Lefkowitz: Medicare For All: An Economic Rationale Abdul El-Sayed and Micah Johnson: Medicare For All: A Citizen’s Guide Unf*cker Recommendations Michael Bazzell: Extreme Privacy: What It Takes to Disappear Electronic Frontier Foundation Kevin Mitnick: The Art of Invisibility + The Art of Deception The Guardian: US immigration is gaming Google to create a mirage of mass deportations UNFTR Episode Resources Housing First. A Civilian Labor Corps. Medicare For All. -- If you like #UNFTR, please leave us a rating and review on Apple Podcasts and Spotify: unftr.com/rate and follow us on Facebook , Bluesky , TikTok and Instagram at @UNFTRpod. Visit us online at unftr.com . Buy yourself some Unf*cking Coffee at shop.unftr.com . Check out the UNFTR Pod Love playlist on Spotify: spoti.fi/3yzIlUP. Visit our bookshop.org page at bookshop.org/shop/UNFTRpod to find the full UNFTR book list, and find book recommendations from our Unf*ckers at bookshop.org/lists/unf-cker-book-recommendations . Access the UNFTR Musicless feed by following the instructions a
Sat, February 15, 2025
It Ends With Him: Trump Is the End of Neoliberalism.
Regardless of what happens next in the United States, the American experiment ends with Donald Trump. But Trump is a Trojan Horse. The real dismantling of our systems and norms is embodied by the man he ceded power to, the wealthiest person in the world. Elon Musk is the living avatar of the new corporate colonial era and there’s no going back to the way it was. This administration serves as the capstone to the neoliberal era, which itself was the professional culmination of previous social and political movements such as the John Birch Society and the Know Nothing Party. The only way to stave off economic, social and political collapse is for the left to mount a coordinated counteroffensive to the tech oligarchs who seek to consolidate all of the wealth and power in the world. Resources The Globe and Mail: Opinion: Trump’s election is a crisis like no other, not only for the U.S. but the world Washington Times: Elon Musk: Judge Paul Engelmayer should be impeached for thwarting his DOGE squad - Washington Times Propublica: Elon Musk’s Boring Company Is Tunneling Beneath Las Vegas With Little Oversight Planalto: Brazil announces Indonesia as full member of BRICS -- If you like #UNFTR, please leave us a rating and review on Apple Podcasts and Spotify: unftr.com/rate and follow us on Facebook , Bluesky , TikTok and Instagram at @UNFTRpod. Visit us online at unftr.com . Buy yourself some Unf*cking Coffee at shop.unftr.com . Check out the UNFTR Pod Love playlist on Spotify: spoti.fi/3yzIlUP. Visit our bookshop.org page at bookshop.org/shop/UNFTRpod to find the full UNFTR book list, and find book recommendations from our Unf*ckers at bookshop.org/lists/unf-cker-book-recommendations . Access the UNFTR Musicless feed by following the instructions at unftr.com/accessibility . Unf*cking the Republic is produced by 99 and engineer
Sat, February 08, 2025
Medicare For All: Non-Negotiable #3.
America’s healthcare system isn’t broken—it’s working exactly as designed. The problem is that it was designed to generate profits, not health outcomes. We spend roughly 20% of our GDP on healthcare, about double what other developed nations spend per capita, yet we have shorter life expectancy, higher infant mortality rates, and leave tens of millions uninsured or underinsured. Medicare for All is the obvious and attainable solution but it has fallen out of mainstream conversation since Biden bested Bernie for the 2020 nomination. Rekindling this spark is vital and should be one of the primary non-negotiables of the Left movement. Chapters Intro: 00:00:40 Chapter One: Changing the Intent. 00:03:09 Chapter Two: Building the Narrative. 00:07:51 Chapter Three: A System Designed to Fail. 00:11:44 Chapter Four: Understanding Medicare for All. 00:16:34 Bring it Home, Max: 00:24:20 Post Show Musings: 00:28:41 Outro: 00:38:57 Book Love Ken Lefkowitz: Medicare For All: An Economic Rationale Abdul El-Sayed and Micah Johnson: Medicare For All: A Citizen’s Guide Steven Brill: America’s Bitter Pill Paul Starr: The Social Transformation of American Medicine -- If you like #UNFTR, please leave us a rating and review on Apple Podcasts and Spotify: unftr.com/rate and follow us on Facebook , Bluesky , TikTok and Instagram at @UNFTRpod. Visit us online at unftr.com . Buy yourself some Unf*cking Coffee at shop.unftr.com . Check out the UNFTR Pod Love playlist on Spotify: spoti.fi/3yzIlUP. Visit our bookshop.org page at bookshop.org/shop/UNFTRpod to find the full UNFTR book list, and find book recommendations from our Unf*ckers at bookshop.org/lists/unf-cker-book-recommendations . Access the UNFTR Musicless feed by following the instructions at unftr.com/accessibility . Unf*cking the Republic is produced by 99 and engineered by Manny Faces Media ( mannyfacesmedia.com ). Or
Sat, February 01, 2025
Extraordinary Cruelty, Ordinary Policy: Immigration and Deportation Under Trump 2.0.
Given the turmoil and disgust surrounding Trump’s shock and awe deportation campaign, we thought it a good time to dig back into the immigration issue and update some of our findings from prior episodes. There’s no question Trump’s ICE is more brutal and seemingly indiscriminate, so we tried to put these efforts in context with prior administrations. Then we zoom out to look at root causes of immigration and the failure of U.S. foreign policy toward the LAC. Chapters Intro: 00:01:01 Post Show Musings: 00:26:03 Outro: 01:05:29 Resources Texas Tribune: Trump promised mass deportations. Here’s one way they could quietly happen. Vox: Removals vs returns: how to think about Obama’s deportation record Migration Policy Institute: The Biden Administration Is on Pace to Match Trump Deportation Numbers—Focusing on the Border, Not the U.S. Interior Migration Policy Institute: The Obama Record on Deportations: Deporter in Chief or Not? Migration Policy Institute: Net Number of Migrants by Country, 1950-2020 (by Five-Year Intervals) U.S. Department of Justice: Executive Office for Immigration Review Adjudication Statistics Washington Post: Deportation at ‘light speed’: How Trump’s crackdown could unfold House of Representatives: Laken Riley Act U.S. Department of Agriculture: Child Nutrition Programs - National School Lunch Program Center for Immigration Studies: Mapping the Impact of Immigration on Public Schools UNFTR Episode Resources Fox in the Outhouse: Invasion, Immigration & Inflation Over The Borderline: Introduction Part One Part Two P
Sat, January 25, 2025
Day One: Max Unfiltered.
We’re through the first two “non-negotiables” of the Left ( Housing First and a Civilian Labor Corps ) and I’m taking my sweet ass time with the third: Medicare for All. In the meantime, this week’s pod is a compilation of thoughts and writing I’ve done since the inauguration; officially another Max Unfiltered entry into our canon. Chapters Intro: 00:00:51 Post Show Musings: 00:23:20 UNFTR Episode Resources Housing First. Building a Civilian Labor Corps: Bracing for the AI Job Apocalypse. YouTube: Day One: A Progressive Reaction to Trump's Inauguration -- If you like #UNFTR, please leave us a rating and review on Apple Podcasts and Spotify: unftr.com/rate and follow us on Facebook , Bluesky , TikTok and Instagram at @UNFTRpod. Visit us online at unftr.com . Buy yourself some Unf*cking Coffee at shop.unftr.com . Check out the UNFTR Pod Love playlist on Spotify: spoti.fi/3yzIlUP. Visit our bookshop.org page at bookshop.org/shop/UNFTRpod to find the full UNFTR book list, and find book recommendations from our Unf*ckers at bookshop.org/lists/unf-cker-book-recommendations . Access the UNFTR Musicless feed by following the instructions at unftr.com/accessibility . Unf*cking the Republic is produced by 99 and engineered by Manny Faces Media ( mannyfacesmedia.com ). Original music is by Tom McGovern ( tommcgovern.com ). The show is hosted by Max and distributed by 99. Podcast art description: Image of the US Constitution ripped in the middle revealing white text on a blue background that says, "Unf*cking the Republic." Support the show: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/unftr See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Sat, January 18, 2025
Building a Civilian Labor Corps: Bracing for the AI Job Apocalypse. Non-Negotiable #2.
Today we’re tackling our second non-negotiable pillar of establishing a Civilian Labor Corps, and the timing couldn’t be more critical. You may have picked up on chatter in the wind about the impending job apocalypse at the hands of artificial intelligence (AI). I’m here to tell you that this is real. It is coming faster and more furiously than you realize, and we are wholly unprepared. This episode breaks down the speed and totality of what’s coming in the AI revolution and speaks to how prominent economists from history through today would manage the impending employment crisis. Chapters Prologue: 00:00:43 Introduction: Storm Clouds. 00:03:52 Chapter One: The Coming AI Job Apocalypse. 00:06:52 Chapter Two: Full Employment. 00:20:55 Chapter Three: Breaking from Neoliberal Thinking. 00:28:34 Bring It Home, Max. 00:37:26 Post Show Musings: 00:42:23 Outro: 01:10:58 Watch YouTube Video: Unpacking the Ceasefire Agreement: Shades of the Iran Hostage Deal. https://youtu.be/Bnfzl1xWumc Resources Goldman Sachs: What to expect from AI in 2025: hybrid workers, robotics, expert models Levy Institute: Working Paper No. 542 Keynes’s Approach to Full Employment: Aggregate or Targeted Demand? Fisher Phillips: U.S. House Delivers Sweeping AI Report: 10 Biggest Takeaways for Employers 118th Congress: Bipartisan House Task Force on Artificial Intelligence Congressional Budget Office: Artificial Intelligence and Its Potential Effects on the Economy and the Federal Budget Congressional Research Service: The Macroeconomic Effects of Artificial Intelligence Convin: Is AI a Threat to the BPO Industry? AI in BPO Industry Explained UNFTR Episode Resources Housing First: Non-Negotiable #1. The U.S. Economy: Have we reached a boiling point? Has “Creative Destruction” Reached Silicon Valley? The Capitalism Trap. Modern Monetary Theory. Can we afford it? Yes. Yes, we can. <a
Sat, January 11, 2025
Housing First: Non-Negotiable #1.
As is customary, HUD released its annual report on homelessness at the end of 2024. It revealed a startling year-over-year increase in homelessness among individuals and families in the United States. Among the devastating data, there were bright spots such as a decrease in homeless veterans. But the reporting and punditry surrounding the report was less than stellar, and the news was buried in a matter of days. Crucially, some of the worst reporting on HUD’s findings came from left wing media sources who pointed to immigration as one of the drivers of the increase, conveniently and uncritically parroting conservative talking points while ignoring the more pertinent narratives. Chapters Intro: 00:00:37 Chapter One: A Point in Time. 00:03:12 Chapter Two: Whether Building a Home or a Narrative, Framing Matters. 00:07:39 Chapter Three: Housing First: When Evidence Meets Ideology. 00:17:03 Bring it Home, Max. 00:26:20 Post Show Musings: 00:30:55 Outro: 00:58:21 Resources HUD: The 2024 Annual Homelessness Assessment Report (AHAR) to Congress Tsemberis, S., & Eisenberg, R. F. (2000). Pathways to Housing: Supported Housing for Street-Dwelling Homeless Individuals with Psychiatric Disabilities National Alliance to End Homelessness. (2000). A Plan, Not a Dream: How to End Homelessness in Ten Years. Washington, DC U.S. Interagency Council on Homelessness. (2010). *Opening Doors: Federal Strategic Plan to Prevent and End Homelessness. Washington, DC Department of Housing and Urban Development. (2014). Housing First in Permanent Supportive Housing Brief Gillespie, S., et al. (2021). Denver Supportive Housing Social Impact Bond Initiative: Final Outcome Report. Urban Institute Los Angeles County Department of Health Services. (2019). Housing for Health Year Four Evaluation Report Wright, B. J., et al. (2016). Health in Housing: Exploring the Intersection between Housing and Health Care. Center for Outcomes Research and Education National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. (2018). Permanent Su
Sat, December 28, 2024
The Online Left is Falling Apart: And That’s Okay.
Max goes back to finish the hat at the close of another year. 2025 has the potential to be one of the most disruptive in living memory. The rapid rollout of Project 2025 initiatives, fireworks spewing from the Trump distraction machine, the brewing onslaught of job losses due to AI and the continuing surge of far-right governments across the globe are significant weather events that could turn to a super storm tsunami if they all take off at once. With no semblance of unity on the left to coalesce in opposition to the gathering storm, we are in for a rough patch. So what will it take to settle in and begin building a strong left again? What can we garner from the splinter of the online left and other lessons from history to formulate a winning strategy to move forward? Chapters: Intro: 00:00:16 Chapter One: Digital Natives Come of Age. 00:00:54 Chapter Two: The Online Left: A Digital Tower of Babel. 00:12:36 Chapter Three: Unf*cking the Left. 00:17:19 -- If you like #UNFTR, please leave us a rating and review on Apple Podcasts: unftr.com/rate and follow us on Facebook , Twitter and Instagram at @UNFTRpod. Visit us online at unftr.com . Buy yourself some Unf*cking Coffee at shop.unftr.com . Check out the UNFTR Pod Love playlist on Spotify: spoti.fi/3yzIlUP. Visit our bookshop.org page at bookshop.org/shop/UNFTRpod to find the full UNFTR book list, and find book recommendations from our Unf*ckers at bookshop.org/lists/unf-cker-book-recommendations . Access the UNFTR Musicless feed by following the instructions at unftr.com/accessibility . Unf*cking the Republic is produced by 99 and engineered by Manny Faces Media ( mannyfacesmedia.com ). Original music is by Tom McGovern ( tommcgovern.com ). The show is hosted by Max and distributed by 99. Podcast art description: Image of the US Constitution ripped in the middle revealing white text on a blue background that says, "Unf*cking the Republic." Support the show: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/unftr See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Sat, December 21, 2024
Show Notes Part Two: [Neoliberalism Borrowed From Lenin.]
This week is another extended Show Notes with Max and 99 who plow through listener feedback and talk extensively about repairing the left in the United States and what UNFTR’s role should be going forward. Next week we’ll release our final episode of the year that digs deeper into the fractured alliances on the online left and what it means for the future of the progressive movement. Book Love Charles Wheelan: Naked Economics: Undressing the Dismal Science -- If you like #UNFTR, please leave us a rating and review on Apple Podcasts: unftr.com/rate and follow us on Facebook , Twitter and Instagram at @UNFTRpod. Visit us online at unftr.com . Buy yourself some Unf*cking Coffee at shop.unftr.com . Check out the UNFTR Pod Love playlist on Spotify: spoti.fi/3yzIlUP. Visit our bookshop.org page at bookshop.org/shop/UNFTRpod to find the full UNFTR book list, and find book recommendations from our Unf*ckers at bookshop.org/lists/unf-cker-book-recommendations . Access the UNFTR Musicless feed by following the instructions at unftr.com/accessibility . Unf*cking the Republic is produced by 99 and engineered by Manny Faces Media ( mannyfacesmedia.com ). Original music is by Tom McGovern ( tommcgovern.com ). The show is hosted by Max and distributed by 99. Podcast art description: Image of the US Constitution ripped in the middle revealing white text on a blue background that says, "Unf*cking the Republic." Support the show: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/unftr See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Sat, December 14, 2024
The U.S. Economy: Have we reached a boiling point?
Are we heading into a recession? Did we ever really come out of the last one? Do market fundamentals matter anymore? How did Democrats miss so badly on the economy, leading to the re-election of Donald Trump? Is capitalism collapsing? It’s difficult to get a proper read of the U.S. economy. It’s a giant, complex juggernaut that both relies on global markets and holds them all together. There is no unifying economic or political theory to provide clarity as the biggest economy in world history continues to navigate uncharted territory. Let’s talk about it. Chapters Intro: 00:00:34 The Stock Market Is Not the Economy: 00:02:25 The U.S. Economy is the Global Economy: 00:04:24 Market Based Economies are Cyclical: 00:05:25 The Rate of Change in the Labor Market is Faster Today: 00:07:52 Inequality is a Condition of Capitalism: 00:11:26 Sentiment is Just as Powerful as Any Data Point: 00:13:32 The Single Biggest Economic Force is Greed: 00:14:02 Cycle Trends: 00:18:40 Enter Trump: 00:31:54 Post Show Musings: 00:36:47 Outro: 00:42:31 Resources St. Louis Fed: Labor Force Participation Rate St. Louis Fed: Labor Force Participation Rate - 25-54 Yrs. Investopedia: Average Retirement Savings by Age: How Do You Compare? Trading Economics: United States ISM Manufacturing PMI Federal Reserve Bank Of New York: Household Debt and Credit Report Education Data: Student Loan Debt Statistics [2024]: Average + Total Debt Guru Focus: S&P 500 PE Ratio Charts, Data Oil Price: OPEC+ May Be Facing Long-Term Production Cuts Center for American Progress: Project 2025’s Tax Plan Would Raise Taxes on the Middle Class and Cut Taxes for the Wealthy Book Love John Kenneth Galbraith: The Affluent Society -- If you like #UNFTR, please leave us a rating and review on Apple Podcasts: unftr.com/rate and follow us on Faceboo
Sat, December 07, 2024
“Russputin” and the Tsar: Russell Vought’s Plan To Destroy America.
In this week’s episode we identify the most dangerous man in America that no one is talking about, the tool he is going to use to dismantle government agencies, and what we can learn from three young Republicans who helped the GOP rise from the ashes of the Obama years. Get to know Russell “Russputin” Vought and how he believes he can override Nixon-era legislation to consolidate budget and spending authority within the executive branch. Chapters Sketch: 00:00:00 Intro: 00:05:52 Chapter One: 00:08:35 Chapter Two: 00:12:44 Chapter Three: 00:18:08 Post Show Musings: 00:29:06 Outro: 00:41:26 Resources JSTOR: Democracy and the Welfare State U.S. House: 2 USC Ch. 17B: Impoundment Control Politico: Trump says Russell Vought will return as OMB director Daily Mail: What is net worth of Trump's Cabinet? The staggering wealth of his nominees revealed The Center for Renewing America: The President’s Constitutional Power of Impoundment Protect Democracy: The impoundment threat, explained ProPublica: How Trump Plans to Seize the Power of the Purse From Congress Democracy Now!: Project 2025 Co-Author Lays Out "Radical Agenda" for Next Trump Term in Undercover Video UNFTR on Bluesky UNFTR Episode Resources The Clinton Years Series. F*ck Milton Friedman. Project 2025. -- If you like #UNFTR, please leave us a rating and review on Apple Podcasts: unftr.com/rate and follow us on Facebook , Twitter and Instagram at @UNFTRpod. Visit us online at unftr.com . Buy yourself some Unf*cking Coffee at shop.unftr.com . Check out the UNFTR Pod L
Thu, December 05, 2024
Show Notes: [Neoliberalism Borrowed From Lenin.]
Max and 99 have tons of Unf*cker feedback on the direction of the show and how to move forward as progressives. So much feedback that they had to split Show Notes into two parts! Stay tuned for next week's episode. Resources UNFTR on Bluesky Boney M.: Rasputin Reuters: Pro-Palestinian protesters arrested at New York Thanksgiving parade American Prestige Unf*cker Recommendations Philip Mirowski: More Heat Than Light: Economics as Social Physics: Physics as Nature's Economics Philip Mirowski: Machine Dreams: Economics Becomes a Cyborg Science Philip Mirowski: Never Let a Serious Crisis Go to Waste: How Neoliberalism Survived the Financial Meltdown Melinda Cooper: Family Values: Between Neoliberalism and the New Social Conservatism Gérard Duménil + Dominique Levy: Crisis of Neoliberalism Gérard Duménil + Dominique Levy: Managerial Capitalism: Ownership, Management, and the Coming New Mode of Production -- If you like #UNFTR, please leave us a rating and review on Apple Podcasts: unftr.com/rate and follow us on Facebook , Twitter and Instagram at @UNFTRpod. Visit us online at unftr.com . Buy yourself some Unf*cking Coffee at shop.unftr.com . Check out the UNFTR Pod Love playlist on Spotify: spoti.fi/3yzIlUP. Visit our bookshop.org page at bookshop.org/shop/UNFTRpod to find the full UNFTR book list, and find book recommendations from our Unf*ckers at bookshop.org/lists/unf-cker-book-recommendations . Access the UNFTR Musicless feed by following the instructions at unftr.com/accessibility . Unf*cking the Republic is produced by 99 and engineered by Manny Faces Media ( mannyfacesmedia.com ). Original m
Sat, November 23, 2024
Neoliberalism Borrowed From Lenin, Why Can’t We?
This week we go all the way back to the beginning to ruminate about what motivated us to start the podcast in the dark days of the pandemic. We open with a passage from Nancy MacLean’s Democracy in Chains that struck a chord with Max. In it MacLean talks about the early days of the nihilistic libertarian society built by Charles Koch who was himself building upon the work of his father in the John Birch Society. Turns out, Koch and the founders of the neoliberal movement were inspired by the organizing principles of Vladimir Lenin. Let that sink in. Chapters Intro: 00:00:00 Sketch: 00:01:29 Max’s Moment: 00:06:39 A Discussion: 00:41:19 Outro: 01:27:49 Resources Nancy MacLean: Democracy in Chains: The Deep History of the Radical Right's Stealth Plan for America The Family on Netflix Jeff Sharlet: The Family: The Secret Fundamentalism at the Heart of American Power Max on Bluesky UNFTR on YouTube -- If you like #UNFTR, please leave us a rating and review on Apple Podcasts: unftr.com/rate and follow us on Facebook , Twitter and Instagram at @UNFTRpod. Visit us online at unftr.com . Buy yourself some Unf*cking Coffee at shop.unftr.com . Check out the UNFTR Pod Love playlist on Spotify: spoti.fi/3yzIlUP. Visit our bookshop.org page at bookshop.org/shop/UNFTRpod to find the full UNFTR book list, and find book recommendations from our Unf*ckers at bookshop.org/lists/unf-cker-book-recommendations . Access the UNFTR Musicless feed by following the instructions at unftr.com/accessibility . Unf*cking the Republic is produced by 99 and engineered by Manny Faces Media ( mannyfacesmedia.com ). Original music is by Tom McGovern ( tommcgovern.com ). The show is hosted by Max and distributed by 99. Podcast art description: Image of the US Constitution ripped in the middle revealing white text on a blue background that says, "Unf*cking the Republic."</p
Sat, November 16, 2024
2024 Election: Eulogy and Clarity. What is to be done?
Today we offer a grim and final eulogy to the Democratic Party and the 2024 election. The results were foretold by countless DNC missteps and missed opportunities that the Party remains reluctant to admit to. The next stage in the American experiment is going to be dire and regressive, leaving progressives with two options to move forward: Succumb to the forces of authoritarian rule guided by the corporate class, or build a plan to take control of our democracy after they burn it to the ground. We’re exiting the neoliberal phase of our journey and entering what Stanley Deetz termed “corporate colonialism.” In order to build a strong coalition to jumpstart a new progressive movement, it’s imperative that we focus our efforts on decolonizing America. -- If you like #UNFTR, please leave us a rating and review on Apple Podcasts: unftr.com/rate and follow us on Facebook , Twitter and Instagram at @UNFTRpod. Visit us online at unftr.com . Buy yourself some Unf*cking Coffee at shop.unftr.com . Subscribe to Unf*cking The Republic on Substack at unftr.substack.com to get the essays these episode are framed around sent to your inbox every week. Check out the UNFTR Pod Love playlist on Spotify: spoti.fi/3yzIlUP. Visit our bookshop.org page at bookshop.org/shop/UNFTRpod to find the full UNFTR book list, and find book recommendations from our Unf*ckers at bookshop.org/lists/unf-cker-book-recommendations . Access the UNFTR Musicless feed by following the instructions at unftr.com/accessibility . Unf*cking the Republic is produced by 99 and engineered by Manny Faces Media ( mannyfacesmedia.com ). Original music is by Tom McGovern ( tommcgovern.com ). The show is hosted by Max and distributed by 99. Podcast art description: Image of the US Constitution ripped in the middle revealing white text on a blue background that says, "Unf*cking the Republic." Support the show: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/unftr See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Sat, November 02, 2024
Max & 99 Unfiltered: Final Thoughts Before the 2024 Election.
Max and 99 have a Manny-less conversation (Manny on assignment, don’t worry) about the election. It’s a sobering discussion about what’s at stake; they talk Democratic missteps along the way and ask whose idea it was to let Steve Bannon out of prison before the election. Resources Join the livestream on Wednesday, 11/6/24 at 8:00 PM EST. New York Times: Election 2024 Polls: Harris vs. Trump Middle Aged Dad Jam Band AP: CNN bans conservative writer after ‘beeper’ comment to Muslim commentator I Think You Should Leave with Tim Robinson: Brian’s Hat Full Sketch I Think You Should Leave with Tim Robinson: Ghost Tour I Think You Should Leave with Tim Robinson: Save Corncob TV I Think You Should Leave with Tim Robinson: Door AP: Crossing against the light? You won’t get ticketed now that jaywalking is legal in NYC UNFTR Episode Resources Phone A Friend: Nick Hanauer of Pitchfork Economics. -- If you like #UNFTR, please leave us a rating and review on Apple Podcasts: unftr.com/rate and follow us on Facebook , Twitter and Instagram at @UNFTRpod. Visit us online at unftr.com . Buy yourself some Unf*cking Coffee at shop.unftr.com . Subscribe to Unf*cking The Republic on Substack at unftr.substack.com to get the essays these episode are framed around sent to your inbox every week. Check out the UNFTR Pod Love playlist on Spotify: spoti.fi/3yzIlUP. Visit our bookshop.org page at bookshop.org/shop/UNFTRpod to find the full UNFTR book list, and find book recommendations from our Unf*ckers at bookshop.org/lists/unf-cker-book-recommendations . Access the UNFTR Musicless feed by following th
Sat, October 26, 2024
The Energy Independence Myth.
This week we focus on a thin slice of the energy pie to disabuse the notion of “energy independence.” When politicians reference this concept they speak narrowly in terms of oil and gas production in the United States. As though if we could somehow pump enough of our own oil specifically, we could break our dependence on foreign nations, especially those villainous bad actors like Russia and Iran. Not only is this talking point an illusion, the framing of it is completely false. For starters, we already pump more oil than we consume. Moreover, we import crude and refined oil from allies. Chapters Intro: 00:01:00 Post Show Musings: 00:14:42 Outro: 00:20:15 Resources U.S. Energy Information Administration: What countries are the top producers and consumers of oil? NRDC: Study Shows 14,000 Unplugged Oil and Gas Wells in Gulf of Mexico Baker Hughes Rig Count Marketplace: Why oil companies aren't drilling on those 9,000 land leases CNN Business: Why oil companies are raking in record profits under Joe Biden Haas News: Explainer: The myth of 'energy independence' U.S. Senate Committee On The Budget: Sen. Whitehouse on Fossil Fuel Subsidies: “We Are Subsidizing the Danger” BLS: Fastest Growing Occupations -- If you like #UNFTR, please leave us a rating and review on Apple Podcasts: unftr.com/rate and follow us on Facebook , Twitter and Instagram at @UNFTRpod. Visit us online at unftr.com . Buy yourself some Unf*cking Coffee at shop.unftr.com . Subscribe to Unf*cking The Republic on Substack at unftr.substack.com to get the essays these episode are framed around sent to your inbox every week. Check out the UNFTR Pod Love playlist on Spotify: spoti.fi/
Sat, October 19, 2024
Un-Cooperative: Why Worker Co-Ops Don’t Work in America.
Worker cooperatives are often viewed as part of the solution to beating back capitalism. Yet there are more than 33 million small businesses in the U.S. and less than a thousand worker co-operatives. This week’s episode looks at the different co-op models and the barriers to the growth and success of worker cooperatives in the U.S. as opposed to Europe. We take a look at iconic cooperatives such as the Mondragon Corporation in Spain to the Park Slope Food Co-Op in Brooklyn, NY and explain how everyone can easily support worker co-ops this election day. Chapters Intro: 00:00:03 Chapter One: Doing the Work. 00:03:52 Chapter Two: Mondragon. 00:11:27 Chapter Three: Cooperatives Models. 00:19:18 Chapter Four: The Food Dude Retires. 00:27:54 Chapter Five: Barriers and Clues. 00:31:20 Bring it home, Max. 00:35:31 Outro: 00:39:29 Resources Expert Market: The Most Productive Countries in 2024 USDA: More than just a co-op: How Cooperatives Strengthen Economic Power National Council of Farmer Cooperatives EOS Data Analytics: Agricultural Cooperatives: Find The Top Co-Ops In The US Ocean Spray: About Us Land O’Lakes Inc. NCBA CLUSA: Healthcare Co-ops NCUA Quarterly Credit Union Data Summary 2024 Q1 U.S. Small Business Administration: Office of Advocacy: Frequently Asked Questions About Small Business, 2023 Co-op News: Worker co-op sector continues to grow in the USA Co-opLaw.org: Subchapter T and How Money Flows Through a Cooperative H.R.7721 - 118th Congress (2023-2024): National Worker Cooperative Development and Support Act The New York Times: Founder of the Park Slope Food Coop in Brooklyn to Retire After 50 Years Reuters: Personal Finance: Bank Tra
Sat, October 12, 2024
Unf*cking Flashback: The American Propaganda Machine.
While Max puts the finishing touches on the forthcoming Worker Cooperative episode, we’re replaying an oldie but a goodie called The American Propaganda Machine. We chose this as a complement to our recent discussions surrounding news literacy. We think it holds up pretty well, actually. -- On this episode of Unf*cking the Republic we do a deep dive into the American system of propaganda and pull back the curtain on the tangled web of think tanks, lobbying groups, media organizations and corporations that live to fuck over the American people. We’ll demonstrate how dark money works its way through a labyrinth of special interest groups and emerges as public policy that looks and sounds patriotic and helpful but is actually designed to strip away your rights and generate profits for a handful of assholes. And we’ll show how groups like the Heritage Foundation help craft and sell these messages to turn people against their own best interests and make you believe the horse shit they’re peddling. Resources The Center for Public Integrity: You elected them to write new laws. They’re letting corporations do it instead. Book Love Jane Mayer: Dark Money: The Hidden History of the Billionaires Behind the Rise of the Radical -- If you like #UNFTR, please leave us a rating and review on Apple Podcasts: unftr.com/rate and follow us on Facebook , Twitter and Instagram at @UNFTRpod. Visit us online at unftr.com . Buy yourself some Unf*cking Coffee at shop.unftr.com . Subscribe to Unf*cking The Republic on Substack at unftr.substack.com to get the essays these episode are framed around sent to your inbox every week. Check out the UNFTR Pod Love playlist on Spotify: spoti.fi/3yzIlUP. Visit our bookshop.org page at bookshop.org/shop/UNFTRpod to find the full UNFTR book list, and find book recommendations from our Unf*ckers at bookshop.org/lists/unf-cker-book-recommendations . Access the UNFTR Musicless feed by following the instructions at unftr.com/accessibility . Unf*cking the Republic is produced by 99 and engineered by Manny Faces Media
Sat, October 05, 2024
Election Denials: Asheville, Israel & Inequality.
Time for a Quickie. It’s been months since we put together a quick take on three seemingly unrelated issues. What do a wider Middle East war, U.S. manufacturing as the answer to climate change and dock worker strikes all have to do with one another? Both sides of the political aisle have all the wrong answers and the media are asking all the wrong questions. Max breaks it all down. Chapters Intro: 00:00:06 Part One: Asheville. 00:00:13 Part Two: Israel. 00:06:36 Part Three: Inequality. 00:10:38 Outro: 00:16:31 Resources Axios Charlotte: North Carolina is filled with Yankees — maybe more than you think The New York Times: ‘Climate Havens’ Don’t Exist BBC: US cities are advertising themselves as 'climate havens'. But can they actually protect residents from extreme weather? NPR: Climate-fueled flooding in Vermont is causing both worry and adaptation Marinette County: Tornado and Severe Summer Weather CBS News: Vice Presidential candidates Walz and Vance spar on energy policy and climate change CBS News: Israeli strikes in Lebanon decapitate Hezbollah, as civilian deaths mount and ground operation looms Barron’s: New Tally Puts October 7 Attack Dead In Israel At 1,163 Stimson Center: Israeli Assassinations in Iran and Lebanon Put Iraq’s Stability in Further Peril The Washington Post: As war widens and costs mount, Israel’s economy is in ‘serious danger’ AP News: Dockworkers may have negotiating advantage in ports strike Book Love Tad Delay: Future of Denial: The Ideologies of Climate Change
Mon, September 30, 2024
Show Notes [Meaningless Rage and Outrage on the Debate Stage.]
In this week’s Show Notes Max and 99 catch up in studio to touch on the Libya episode and catch up on recent feedback from Unf*ckers. Plus, they had a therapy session about the state of podcasting and feelings around the election as well. Enjoy! Chapters Intro: 00:00:20 Libya Chat: 00:19:44 Email + YouTube Feedback: 00:24:21 Memberships: 01:18:03 Reviews: 01:18:28 Outro: 01:19:22 UNFTR Episode Resources Meaningless Rage and Outrage on the Debate Stage. The Great Man-Made River Project. -- If you like #UNFTR, please leave us a rating and review on Apple Podcasts: unftr.com/rate and follow us on Facebook , Twitter and Instagram at @UNFTRpod. Visit us online at unftr.com . Buy yourself some Unf*cking Coffee at shop.unftr.com . Subscribe to Unf*cking The Republic on Substack at unftr.substack.com to get the essays these episode are framed around sent to your inbox every week. Check out the UNFTR Pod Love playlist on Spotify: spoti.fi/3yzIlUP. Visit our bookshop.org page at bookshop.org/shop/UNFTRpod to find the full UNFTR book list, and find book recommendations from our Unf*ckers at bookshop.org/lists/unf-cker-book-recommendations . Access the UNFTR Musicless feed by following the instructions at unftr.com/accessibility . Unf*cking the Republic is produced by 99 and engineered by Manny Faces Media ( mannyfacesmedia.com ). Original music is by Tom McGovern ( tommcgovern.com ). The show is hosted by Max and distributed by 99. Podcast art description: Image of the US Constitution ripped in the middle revealing white text on a blue background that says, "Unf*cking the Republic." Support the show: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/unftr See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Wed, September 25, 2024
The Great Man-Made River Project: How the U.S. and EU Killed the 8th Wonder of the World.
The Great Man-Made River in Libya was once considered the 8th Wonder of the World. Water was first discovered in the 1960s when oil and gas drilling companies discovered enormous aquifers beneath the desert sands of Libya. 20 years after these discoveries, Libya was under the brutal dictatorship of Muammar Gaddafi who had overthrown the monarchy in 1969. Gaddafi embarked on an ambitious plan to pump water from under the desert into large reservoirs that were connected by pipelines throughout the country. While three of the five planned phases were completed at an estimated cost of $30 billion, the project was halted when Gaddafi was killed in 2011 during the Arab Spring uprisings. This is the fascinating story of a despot who had a grand vision for Islamic pan-Arab nationalism and will forever be linked to one of the greatest engineering feats the world has ever seen; a man who was ultimately betrayed by western “allies” and ironically died as brutally as he ruled at the hands of young Islamic Arab nationalists. Chapters Intro: 00:00:35 Chapter One: 00:05:11 Chapter Two: 00:09:21 Chapter Three: 00:15:27 Chapter Four: 00:21:57 Chapter Five: 00:32:13 Chapter Six: 00:37:07 Bring it home, Max. 00:44:18 Resources Water Supply Project: GMR (Great Man-Made River) Middle East Institute: What’s next for Libya’s Great Man-Made River Project? What Happened to Libya's Great Man-Made River Project? GWI: Libya’s $11 billion water lifeline ScienceDirect Topics: Agricultural Revolution - an overview Reuters: Libyan leaders agree form new unified government Al Jazeera: Libya’s High State Council elects new leader as political gridlock deepens Muammar Gaddafi Interviewed Just Before Libyan Revolution Moammar Gadhafi Dead Video: Last Moments Alive Caught on Tape in Sirte Book Love John Wright: History of Libya -- If you like #UNFTR, please leave us a rating and review on Apple Podcasts: unftr.com/ra
Sat, September 14, 2024
Meaningless Rage and Outrage on the Debate Stage: A Recap of the Presidential Debate.
Because it’s silly season, we interrupt our regularly scheduled programming once again to provide blow-by-excruciating-blow coverage of the (apparently only) debate between Vice President Harris and former President Donald Trump. While most observers called it a clear victory for Harris who was composed and on message, as opposed to a meanspirited and meandering Trump, the debate was more remarkable for the theatrical nature of the staging and the absence of pertinent questions that could reveal something (anything) of substance for the American people to grab onto. Resources Wall Street Journal: Full Debate: Harris vs. Trump in 2024 Presidential Debate -- If you like #UNFTR, please leave us a rating and review on Apple Podcasts: unftr.com/rate and follow us on Facebook , Twitter and Instagram at @UNFTRpod. Visit us online at unftr.com . Join the Unf*cker-run Facebook group: facebook.com/groups/2051537518349565 Buy yourself some Unf*cking Coffee at shop.unftr.com . Subscribe to Unf*cking The Republic on Substack at unftr.substack.com to get the essays these episode are framed around sent to your inbox every week. Check out the UNFTR Pod Love playlist on Spotify: spoti.fi/3yzIlUP. Visit our bookshop.org page at bookshop.org/shop/UNFTRpod to find the full UNFTR book list, and find book recommendations from our Unf*ckers at bookshop.org/lists/unf-cker-book-recommendations . Access the UNFTR Musicless feed by following the instructions at unftr.com/accessibility . Unf*cking the Republic is produced by 99 and engineered by Manny Faces Media ( mannyfacesmedia.com ). Original music is by Tom McGovern ( tommcgovern.com ). The show is hosted by Max and distributed by 99. Podcast art description: Image of the US Constitution ripped in the middle revealing white text on a blue background that says, "Unf*cking the Republic." Support the show: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/unftr See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Sat, September 07, 2024
Eric Schmidt the Bed in Stanford Interview. How Oligarchs Speak (When They Think No One Is Listening).
Have you ever wondered what oligarchs talk about when they think no one is listening? Wonder no more. This week we dissect Eric Schmidt’s recent Q&A at Stanford University where he talks about remote work culture, the future of AI and how big tech intervenes at the highest levels of government. The kicker is…he thought it was private and didn’t realize it was being recorded. Some of his comments regarding the laziness of remote workers and the “arrogance” of the programmer community went viral prompting Schmidt to apologize and scramble to have the video removed. Considering he ran the world’s biggest internet search engine he should have known that nothing ever really disappears. In fact, we dug up his own words from 2013 when he said exactly that. Beyond the comments that got the most attention in the media (for a minute) the conversation reveals much more about the dark side of oligarchy in the United States. Resources TechCrunch: Video of Eric Schmidt blaming remote work for Google's woes mysteriously vanishes The Verge: Ex-Google CEO: AI startups can steal IP, hire lawyers to “clean up the mess” Digital Music News: Ex-Googler Eric Schmidt on AI — They Steal IP, Then Hire Lawyers Disconnect: Roundup: Eric Schmidt says the quiet part out loud TIME: Eric Schmidt: The 100 Most Influential People in AI 2024 Eric Schmidt, Jared Cohen: The New Digital Age: Transforming Nations, Businesses, and Our Lives Ex-Google CEO's BANNED Interview LEAKED: "You Have No Idea What's Coming" -- If you like #UNFTR, please leave us a rating and review on Apple Podcasts: unftr.com/rate and follow us on Facebook , Twitter and Instagram at @UNFTRpod. Visit us online at unftr.com . Join the Unf*cker-run Facebook group: facebook.com/groups/2051537518349565 Buy yourself some Unf*cking Coffee at shop.unftr.com . Subscribe to Unf*cking The Republic on Substack at unftr.substack.com to get the essay
Fri, September 06, 2024
Show Notes [Et tu, Krugman?]
In today’s Show Notes, Max & 99 cover trending headlines, discuss the recent Krugman episode, and hear from a few Unf*ckers with general feedback. Enjoy! Chapters Intro: 00:00:20 Headlines: 00:04:15 YouTube: 00:43:09 Emails: 00:56:54 Memberships: 01:18:33 Outro: 01:18:39 Resources Shiny Happy People AP: GOP network props up liberal third-party candidates in key states, hoping to siphon off Harris votes Fernando Morais: Lula Binyamin Appelbaum: The Economists' Hour: False Prophets, Free Markets, and the Fracture of Society Thomas Piketty: Capital in the Twenty-First Century Michelle Alexander: The New Jim Crow: Mass Incarceration in the Age of Colorblindness Chris Hedges: Death of the Liberal Class Howard Zinn: A People's History of the United States Jeff Sharlet: The Family: The Secret Fundamentalism at the Heart of American Power Bernard Harcourt: The Illusion of Free Markets: Punishment and the Myth of Natural Order Nancy MacLean: Democracy in Chains: The Deep History of the Radical Right's Stealth Plan for America UNFTR Episode Resources The 5 Books that shaped my political and economic worldview Palestine Series. Fuck Milton Friedman. Capitalism. -- If you like #UNFTR, please leave us a rating and review on Apple Podcasts: unftr.com/rate and follow us on Facebook , Twitter and Instagram at @UNFTRpod. Visit us online at unftr.com . Join the Unf*cker-run Facebook group: facebook.com/groups/2051537518349565 </p
Fri, August 30, 2024
Et tu, Krugman? New York Times columnist’s horrible take.
I’ve long been an admirer of Paul Krugman of The New York Times as he’s a rational and accessible liberal economist who genuinely seems to have the best interests of the public at heart. But a recent column smacked of establishment rhetoric that bordered on gaslighting. Democrats ignore economic realities at their own peril and while most leftists expect little from sources like The New York Times, Krugman has often risen above partisan talking points making this even more disappointing. Chapters Intro: 00:00:41 Deconstructing Krugman: 00:03:09 The Dual Mandate is Horseshit: 00:03:09 The Harris Economic Plan: 00:12:52 Post Show Musings: 00:19:09 Resources The New York Times: What Happened to Inflation? The New York Times: Warning Signs Flash in a Labor Survey as Fed Officials Watch for Weakness Trading Economics: United States Average Hourly Wages Ramsey: The Average American’s Monthly Expenses The Ascent: Average American Credit Card Debt in 2024 Axios: The most popular grocery stores in the U.S. Yahoo Finance: Fed confronts up to a million US jobs vanishing in revision BLS Reports: Characteristics of minimum wage workers, 2022 MacroTrends: S&P 500 PE Ratio - 90 Year Historical Chart PBS News: Harris has proposed a slew of economic policies. Here’s a look at what’s in them -- If you like #UNFTR, please leave us a rating and review on Apple Podcasts: unftr.com/rate and follow us on Facebook , Twitter and Instagram at @UNFTRpod. Visit us online at unftr.com . Join the Unf*cker-run Facebook group: facebook.com/groups/2051537518349565 Buy yourself some Unf*cking Coffee at shop.unftr.com</
Sat, August 24, 2024
Show Notes [Harris v. Trump.]
Max and 99 are back to discuss Harris v. Trump episode feedback, and catch up a bit. A regular episode is coming early this week, so stay tuned! Chapters Intro: 00:00:19 Emails: 00:03:17 Memberships: 00:43:52 Outro: 00:44:11 -- If you like #UNFTR, please leave us a rating and review on Apple Podcasts: unftr.com/rate and follow us on Facebook , Twitter and Instagram at @UNFTRpod. Visit us online at unftr.com . Join the Unf*cker-run Facebook group: facebook.com/groups/2051537518349565 Buy yourself some Unf*cking Coffee at shop.unftr.com . Subscribe to Unf*cking The Republic on Substack at unftr.substack.com to get the essays these episode are framed around sent to your inbox every week. Check out the UNFTR Pod Love playlist on Spotify: spoti.fi/3yzIlUP. Visit our bookshop.org page at bookshop.org/shop/UNFTRpod to find the full UNFTR book list, and find book recommendations from our Unf*ckers at bookshop.org/lists/unf-cker-book-recommendations . Access the UNFTR Musicless feed by following the instructions at unftr.com/accessibility . Unf*cking the Republic is produced by 99 and engineered by Manny Faces Media ( mannyfacesmedia.com ). Original music is by Tom McGovern ( tommcgovern.com ). The show is hosted by Max and distributed by 99. Podcast art description: Image of the US Constitution ripped in the middle revealing white text on a blue background that says, "Unf*cking the Republic." Support the show: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/unftr See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Sat, August 17, 2024
Harris v. Trump. Progressives in the Wind.
UNFTR is back in the swing of things with a snapshot of where the election stands just 80 days from decision time. We look at trends in each of the swing states, how Congressional races are stacking up and which presidential candidate has the advantage in the swing states and on key issues. Max also tackles the media’s breathless pursuit to portray the Harris/Walz ticket as progressive despite the lackluster and surface level DNC platform. Chapters Intro: 00:02:09 Support UNFTR: 00:14:37 Post Show Musings: 00:35:00 Outro: 01:07:22 Resources Democratic Party Platform CNN: Tim Walz’s political evolution took him from moderate Democrat to progressive champion New York City Food Policy Center: States that Have Passed Universal Free School Meals (So Far) World Population Review: Red Flag Laws States 2024 Born Perfect: Conversion Therapy Bans by U.S. State Movement Advancement Project: Transgender Healthcare "Shield" Laws DISA: Marijuana Legality By State Bipartisan Policy Center: State Paid Family Leave Laws Across the U.S. NCSL: States Offering Driver’s Licenses to Immigrants NCSL: Felon Voting Rights UNFTR: Can Progressives Convince Harris To Support These Popular Policies? -- If you like #UNFTR, please leave us a rating and review on Apple Podcasts: unftr.com/rate and follow us on Facebook , Twitter and Instagram at @UNFTRpod. Visit us online at unftr.com . Join the Unf*cker-run Facebook group: facebook.com/groups/2051537518349565 Buy yourself some Unf*cking Coffee at shop.unftr.com . Subscribe to Unf*cking The Republic on Sub
Sat, August 03, 2024
Unf*cking Flashback: What’s the deal with Peter Thiel? Sociopathic billionaire man-child wants to eat the world.
In October of 2022, we released this episode on Peter Thiel. The last line of the story is that he’s a monster. At the time, we were focused on his personal selections and funding of Congressional candidates, one of whom was none other than JD Vance. Far from his purported hillbilly roots, the country quickly came to know that JD is little more than a huckster who grew up pretty well and became a go-to hedge fund guy for Peter Thiel. Amazingly, Thiel is still on the backburner of people’s awareness and given Vance’s sudden rise to VP prominence, it’s important we continue to bring him forward. -- I’m not a doctor. But even I can certainly see that Peter Thiel is a sick, sick person. Bright, awkward and successful, Peter Thiel has risen to prominence in American society on the gamble that he can break it. The product of an elitist system who wants to take it down. A gay man who backs candidates that would degrade his civil rights. A hedge fund tech investor who thinks Silicon Valley hasn’t done anything innovative in 50 years. A Trump backer and advisor who walked away when he got what he wanted. Peter Thiel is known as a contrarian, but it may be simpler than that. He might just be a nihilistic asshole. Chapters 2024 Update: 00:00:00 Intro: 00:01:18 Chapter One: So who the fuck is this guy? 00:05:21 Chapter Two: Where did all his money come from and can I have some? 00:14:26 Chapter Three: We’re all just pawns on Peter’s board 00:22:11 Chapter Four: Bring it home, Max. 00:33:11 Post Show Musings: 00:39:09 Outro: 00:46:56 Resources The Atlantic: Peter Thiel Hates a Copycat ProPublica: Lord of the Roths: How Tech Mogul Peter Thiel Turned a Retirement Account for the Middle Class Into a $5 Billion Tax-Free Piggy Bank Founders Fund: Portfolio The Intercept: How Peter Thiel’s Palantir Helped The Nsa Spy On The Whole World The Wall Street Journal: Tech Tycoon Peter Thiel Shies From Trump Re-Election Campaign SEC: <a href="http://sec.gov/Archives/edgar/dat
Sat, July 27, 2024
Phone A Friend: Shane Burley and Ben Lorber, authors of Safety through Solidarity: A Radical Guide to Fighting Antisemitism.
This week, Max welcomes Ben Lorber and Shane Burley to the program, co-authors of Safety Through Solidarity: A Radical Guide to Fighting Antisemitism. Resources Melville House: Safety through SolidarityA Radical Guide to Fighting Antisemitism Bookshop: Safety Through Solidarity: A Radical Guide to Fighting Antisemitism Ben Lorber on Twitter Ben Lorber on Instagram BenLorber.com Shane Burley on Twitter Shane Burley on Instagram Shane Burley Linktree -- If you like the pod version of #UNFTR, make sure to check out the video version on YouTube where Max shows his beautiful face! www.youtube.com/@UNFTR Please leave us a rating and review on Apple Podcasts: unftr.com/rate and follow us on Facebook , Twitter and Instagram at @UNFTRpod. Visit us online at unftr.com . Join the Unf*cker-run Facebook group: facebook.com/groups/2051537518349565 Buy yourself some Unf*cking Coffee® at shop.unftr.com . Subscribe to Unf*cking The Republic® at unftr.com/blog to get the essays these episode are framed around sent to your inbox every week. Check out the UNFTR Pod Love playlist on Spotify: spoti.fi/3yzIlUP. Visit our bookshop.org page at bookshop.org/shop/UNFTRpod to find the full UNFTR book list, and find book recommendations from our Unf*ckers at bookshop.org/lists/unf-cker-book-recommendations . Access the UNFTR Musicless feed by following the instructions at unftr.com/accessibility . Unf*cking the Republic® is produced by 99 and engineered by Manny Faces Media ( mannyfacesmedia.com ). Original music is by Tom McGovern ( tommcgovern.com ) and Hold Fast ( holdfastband.com ). The show is written and hosted by Max
Wed, July 24, 2024
A Progressive Take on the Harris Coronation.
The Democratic Party finally took the all important step of convincing Joe Biden to drop his bid for re-election. In a matter of hours, the party elites, donors, elected officials and DNC members coalesced around Kamala Harris, and according to The New York Times, she has already secured the delegates required to run the table at the convention. Despite calls for an open convention process from figures like Barack Obama, the urgency surrounding the failing campaign led to the decision to go with Harris. As quickly as the Dems fell in line, the media narratives on the left and right came together, and the narrative has been set for November. This episode is a reminder of what has been forgotten along the way and highlights the single biggest issue that Democrats continue to ignore. UNFTR Video Resources The Coronation of Kamala Harris: A Progressive Perspective DNR The DNC: Propping up the Cadaver-in-Chief -- If you like the pod version of #UNFTR, make sure to check out the video version on YouTube where Max shows his beautiful face! www.youtube.com/@UNFTR Please leave us a rating and review on Apple Podcasts: unftr.com/rate and follow us on Facebook , Twitter and Instagram at @UNFTRpod. Visit us online at unftr.com . Join the Unf*cker-run Facebook group: facebook.com/groups/2051537518349565 Buy yourself some Unf*cking Coffee® at shop.unftr.com . Subscribe to Unf*cking The Republic® at unftr.com/blog to get the essays these episode are framed around sent to your inbox every week. Check out the UNFTR Pod Love playlist on Spotify: spoti.fi/3yzIlUP. Visit our bookshop.org page at bookshop.org/shop/UNFTRpod to find the full UNFTR book list, and find book recommendations from our Unf*ckers at bookshop.org/lists/unf-cker-book-recommendations . Access the UNFTR Musicless feed by following the instructions at unftr.com/accessibility . Unf*cking the Republic® is produced by 99 and engineered by Manny Faces Media ( mannyfacesmedia.com ). Original music is by Tom McGovern ( tommcgovern.com ) and Ho
Sat, July 20, 2024
Phone A Friend: Lee Camp. Comedian, author, commentator and activist.
This week I spoke with an old friend and inspiration—comedian, author, commentator and activist Lee Camp. We’re all over the place in a cathartic conversation about independent media, censorship, Supreme Court antics, Julian Assange, the presidential election and more. Resources Lee Camp Online Lee Camp on Twitter Lee Camp on Instagram Lee Camp on Facebook Dangerous Ideas with Lee Camp Bullet Points and Punch Lines: The Most Important Commentary Ever Written on the Epic American Tragicomedy -- If you like the pod version of #UNFTR, make sure to check out the video version on YouTube where Max shows his beautiful face! www.youtube.com/@UNFTR Please leave us a rating and review on Apple Podcasts: unftr.com/rate and follow us on Facebook , Twitter and Instagram at @UNFTRpod. Visit us online at unftr.com . Join the Unf*cker-run Facebook group: facebook.com/groups/2051537518349565 Buy yourself some Unf*cking Coffee® at shop.unftr.com . Subscribe to Unf*cking The Republic® at unftr.com/blog to get the essays these episode are framed around sent to your inbox every week. Check out the UNFTR Pod Love playlist on Spotify: spoti.fi/3yzIlUP. Visit our bookshop.org page at bookshop.org/shop/UNFTRpod to find the full UNFTR book list, and find book recommendations from our Unf*ckers at bookshop.org/lists/unf-cker-book-recommendations . Access the UNFTR Musicless feed by following the instructions at unftr.com/accessibility . Unf*cking the Republic® is produced by 99 and engineered by Manny Faces Media ( mannyfacesmedia.com ). Original music is by Tom McGovern ( tommcgovern.com ) and Hold Fast ( holdfastband.com ). The show is written and hosted by Max and distributed by 99. Podcast art descriptio
Sat, July 13, 2024
A Contested Convention: Building the Progressive Bench (Project 500).
Despite his assurances to the contrary, Joe Biden as the Democratic nominee is far from a lock. What happens if the DNC winds up hosting a contested convention? In this episode we delve into a brief history of contested conventions and draw upon prior examples to demonstrate how progressives can use a contested convention to their advantage and get the so-called progressive movement back on track. Chapters Intro: 00:00:10 Chapter One: Nullification. 00:00:52 Chapter Two: Delegate to the Delegate. 00:06:45 Chapter Three: Moon Shot for Progressives. 00:14:18 Post Show Musings: 00:25:44 Outro: 00:42:15 Resources 99's Birthday Donor Drive FactCheck.org: Q&A: How Biden Can Be Replaced as the Democratic Nominee Democrats.org: Delegate Selection Rules History: How Ronald Reagan's 1976 Convention Battle Fueled His 1980 Landslide History: 4 Contested Conventions in Presidential Election History Brookings: What is a brokered convention? What is a contested convention? PBS News: What is a contested convention, and why does it matter in 2020? Newsweek: Joe Biden Is Ready for a Messy Democratic Convention Pew Research: Contested presidential conventions, and why parties try to avoid them History News Network: Why Does the Democratic Party Have Superdelegates? New York Magazine: Why Are AOC and the Squad Backing Biden So Forcefully? -- If you like the pod version of #UNFTR, make sure to check out the video version on YouTube where Max shows his beautiful face! www.youtube.com/@UNFTR Please leave us a rating and review on Apple Podcasts: unftr.com/rate and follow us on <a href="https://www.facebook
Sat, July 06, 2024
DNR The DNC: Propping up the Cadaver-in-Chief.
After Joe Biden’s historically bad debate performance, many Americans were left wondering how the Democratic Party could allow him to remain in the race. The answer is a corrupt and wholly inept corporation called the DNC Services Corporation—Democratic National Committee or DNC for short. This episode looks at the DNC’s failures over time and how they’ve worked with the RNC to rig the system against third party candidates. And it pulls back the curtain to reveal the tragic ineptitude that continues to deliver wins to the Republican Party. Resources Newsweek: My Fellow Progressives: Replacing Biden Is Not Our Fight BYU Law: The Constitution and the Ballot Box: Supreme Court Jurisprudence and Ballot Access for Independent Candidates Intercept: DNC Staffers Mocked the Bernie Sanders Campaign, Leaked Emails Show Colorado Politics: How Dems, GOP each legally 'rig' presidential primaries, caucuses The New York Times: The D.N.C. Has a Primary Problem The Hill: DNC chair on third-party candidates: ‘This is not the time in order to experiment’ Democrats.org: Jaime Harrison League of Women Voters: The League's History Sponsoring Presidential Debates Commission on Presidential Debates Tampa Bay Times: Nader, Buchanan kept out of debate Britannica: United States presidential election of 1912 TIME: How Ross Perot Changed Political Campaigns AP News: Biden's debate performance spurs Democratic panic about his ability to lead party against Trump The New York Times: To Serve His Country, Pr
Fri, July 05, 2024
Show Notes [The United States Postal Service + Europe Slides to the Right + Pharmacy Benefit Managers.]
In this week's Show Notes Max and 99 catch up from a few episodes past, and dive into some news items. They also hatch a plan to celebrate 99's birthday month. Enjoy! Chapters Intro: 00:20:00 Emails: 00:23:39 Memberships: 00:58:29 Reviews: 00:59:17 Outro: 01:00:53 -- If you like the pod version of #UNFTR, make sure to check out the video version on YouTube where Max shows his beautiful face! www.youtube.com/@UNFTR Please leave us a rating and review on Apple Podcasts: unftr.com/rate and follow us on Facebook , Twitter and Instagram at @UNFTRpod. Visit us online at unftr.com . Join the Unf*cker-run Facebook group: facebook.com/groups/2051537518349565 Buy yourself some Unf*cking Coffee® at shop.unftr.com . Subscribe to Unf*cking The Republic® at unftr.com/blog to get the essays these episode are framed around sent to your inbox every week. Check out the UNFTR Pod Love playlist on Spotify: spoti.fi/3yzIlUP. Visit our bookshop.org page at bookshop.org/shop/UNFTRpod to find the full UNFTR book list, and find book recommendations from our Unf*ckers at bookshop.org/lists/unf-cker-book-recommendations . Access the UNFTR Musicless feed by following the instructions at unftr.com/accessibility . Unf*cking the Republic® is produced by 99 and engineered by Manny Faces Media ( mannyfacesmedia.com ). Original music is by Tom McGovern ( tommcgovern.com ) and Hold Fast ( holdfastband.com ). The show is written and hosted by Max and distributed by 99. Podcast art description: Image of the US Constitution ripped in the middle revealing white text on a blue background that says, "Unf*cking the Republic®." Support the show: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/unftr See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Sat, June 29, 2024
Phone A Friend: Yanis Varoufakis.
In this UNFTR Phone A Friend we speak with economist, political leader and bestselling author Yanis Varoufakis about his latest book Technofeudalism : What Killed Capitalism. Max and Yanis cover a wide array of topics from the release of Julian Assange, the thesis behind Technofeudalism , the future of labor and the post-capitalism reality we already live under. Watch the interview on YouTube. Resources Melville House: Technofeudalism Bookshop.org: Technofeudalism -- If you like the pod version of #UNFTR, make sure to check out the video version on YouTube where Max shows his beautiful face! www.youtube.com/@UNFTR Please leave us a rating and review on Apple Podcasts: unftr.com/rate and follow us on Facebook , Twitter and Instagram at @UNFTRpod. Visit us online at unftr.com . Join the Unf*cker-run Facebook group: facebook.com/groups/2051537518349565 Buy yourself some Unf*cking Coffee® at shop.unftr.com . Subscribe to Unf*cking The Republic® at unftr.com/blog to get the essays these episode are framed around sent to your inbox every week. Check out the UNFTR Pod Love playlist on Spotify: spoti.fi/3yzIlUP. Visit our bookshop.org page at bookshop.org/shop/UNFTRpod to find the full UNFTR book list, and find book recommendations from our Unf*ckers at bookshop.org/lists/unf-cker-book-recommendations . Access the UNFTR Musicless feed by following the instructions at unftr.com/accessibility . Unf*cking the Republic® is produced by 99 and engineered by Manny Faces Media ( mannyfacesmedia.com ). Original music is by Tom McGovern ( tommcgovern.com ) and Hold Fast ( holdfastband.com ). The show is written and hosted by Max and distributed by 99. Podcast art description: Image of the US Constitution ripped in the middle revealing white text on a blue background that says, "Unf*cking the Republic®." Su
Sat, June 22, 2024
The United States Postal Service: How it can truly deliver.
The United States Postal Service is one of the most derided institutions in the country. Also, it’s one of the most highly regarded according to every poll conducted on government agencies. This episode digs into our complicated relationship with the Postal Service and examines the historical challenges facing this institution. We cover the controversy surrounding Louis DeJoy, the current Postmaster General and his ten-year plan to modernize the agency. And we finish with a recommendation for how it should ultimately be run that honors its original mandate. Chapters Intro: 00:00:48 Chapter One: Ye Olde Post Office. 00:01:41 Chapter Two: The Post Office Gets a Makeover. 00:06:11 Chapter Three: Ode to DeJoy. 00:13:20 Bring it home, Max. 00:18:37 Post Show Musings: 00:27:14 Outro: 00:34:47 Resources Pew Research Center: Public Holds Broadly Favorable Views of Many Federal Agencies, Including CDC and HHS USPS: Postal Facts Congress.gov: ArtI.S8.C7.1 Historical Background on Postal Power Brookings: How is the U.S. Postal Service governed and funded? The Guardian: There was only one loser in this Royal Mail privatisation: the taxpayer Wikipedia: Bandwidth throttling United States Postal Service Office of Inspector General: Postal Retirement Funds in Perspective: Historical Evolution and Ongoing Challenges Congressional Research Service: FY2024 U.S. Postal Service Appropriations Vox: Trump thinks Amazon’s destroying the post office. Here’s what’s really happening. Katie Porter gets DeJoy to make embarrassing admission at USPS hearing USPS: Delivering for America The Guardian: ‘It’s going to delay the mail’: the fight over Louis DeJoy’s USPS plan GovExec: <a href="https://www.gove
Sat, June 15, 2024
Europe Slides to the Right: Unpacking the EU Parliamentary elections.
Parliamentary elections were held in the European Union last week. It did not go well. Check that. It went very well for the right-wing movement in Europe. Most Americans caught wind of some kind of election in the EU but it’s fair to say that few really understand what it was all about. And with good reason. This stuff is really confusing. Scores of parties under the umbrella of seven coalition parties, 720 members representing 27 nations, two councils, one commission, a bank and court. No one is in charge and everyone is in charge. In this episode we break down the governing structure of the EU and lay out what was at stake in this election. Chapters Intro: 00:01:07 Chapter One: 00:01:42 Chapter Two: 00:05:29 Sponsors: 00:16:51 Chapter Three: 00:17:40 Skit: 00:25:59 Post Show Musings: 00:30:24 Outro: 00:43:31 Resources Organisation of the European Commission Jacobin: In France, the Far Right Is Beating a Divided Left The New York Times: In E.U. Elections, the Center Holds, but the Far Right Still Wreaks Havoc The Guardian: Ursula von der Leyen in pole position as she tries to build majority to keep job | European parliamentary elections 2024 European Parliament: MEPs World Socialist Web Site: Why is the far-right vote surging in the European elections? Reuters: EU’s bid to save bees stings sugar beet farmers -- If you like the pod version of #UNFTR, make sure to check out the video version on YouTube where Max shows his beautiful face! www.youtube.com/@UNFTR Please leave us a rating and review on Apple Podcasts: unftr.com/rate and follow us on Facebook , Twitter and Instagram at @UNFTRpod. Visit us online at unftr.com . Join the Unf*cker-run Facebook group: facebook.com/groups/2051537518349565 Buy yourself some Unf*cking Coffee® at <a href="https:/
Tue, June 11, 2024
Show Notes [Pause. Reset. Where do we go from here?]
Max and 99 are back after a few week Show Notes hiatus. In this episode they catch up on the most recent episodes and the latest news. Enjoy! Chapters Intro: 00:00:20 Emails: 00:27:35 Memberships: 01:21:50 Reviews: 01:22:16 Outro: 01:22:45 Resources UNFTR TikTok -- If you like the pod version of #UNFTR, make sure to check out the video version on YouTube where Max shows his beautiful face! www.youtube.com/@UNFTR Please leave us a rating and review on Apple Podcasts: unftr.com/rate and follow us on Facebook , Twitter and Instagram at @UNFTRpod. Visit us online at unftr.com . Join the Unf*cker-run Facebook group: facebook.com/groups/2051537518349565 Buy yourself some Unf*cking Coffee® at shop.unftr.com . Subscribe to Unf*cking The Republic® at unftr.com/blog to get the essays these episode are framed around sent to your inbox every week. Check out the UNFTR Pod Love playlist on Spotify: spoti.fi/3yzIlUP. Visit our bookshop.org page at bookshop.org/shop/UNFTRpod to find the full UNFTR book list, and find book recommendations from our Unf*ckers at bookshop.org/lists/unf-cker-book-recommendations . Access the UNFTR Musicless feed by following the instructions at unftr.com/accessibility . Unf*cking the Republic® is produced by 99 and engineered by Manny Faces Media ( mannyfacesmedia.com ). Original music is by Tom McGovern ( tommcgovern.com ) and Hold Fast ( holdfastband.com ). The show is written and hosted by Max and distributed by 99. Podcast art description: Image of the US Constitution ripped in the middle revealing white text on a blue background that says, "Unf*cking the Republic®." Support the show: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/unftr See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Sat, June 08, 2024
Pharmacy Benefit Managers: The American Drug Cartel.
In this episode, Max breaks down the biggest scandal in the healthcare industry (and that’s saying a lot). We walk through how a bunch of pencil pushing pharmacy middlemen became so powerful they bought out the biggest health insurance companies and pharmacy chains, and did it through hiking up drug prices, kickbacks and taking advantage of government contracts. This is the story of pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) and how they became the American Drug Cartel. Chapters Intro: 00:00:36 Sponsors: 00:03:14 Chapter One: The Birth of the American Drug Mafia. 00:04:47 Chapter Two: Unraveling the Supply Chain. 00:16:15 Chapter Three: Is that all? Please tell me that’s all. 00:28:09 Chapter Four: Bring it home, Max. 00:38:44 Post Show Musings: 00:45:24 Outro: 00:01:16 Resources NAIC: Pharmacy Benefit Managers Healthcare Dive: FTC launches investigation into PBMs; CVS, UnitedHealth, Cigna and more hit with requests for data FTC: FTC Launches Inquiry Into Prescription Drug Middlemen Industry Healthcare Dive: PBM practices are keeping consumers from generics savings, white paper finds Association for Accessible Medicines: US Generic and Biosimilar Medicines Savings Report 2021 Lever News: Who’s Killing Your Independent Pharmacy? PSSNY: PBM Basics USC: PBMs Are Inflating the Cost of Generic Drugs. They Must Be Reined In Jama Network: Costco v Medicare study Frier Levitt: AUDITING PBMs 46Brooklyn National Bureau of Economic Research: CVS Response: A world without PBMs: Unpacking the data FTC: White House Roundta
Sat, June 01, 2024
Unf*cking Flashback: UNFTR on LGBTQ. Behind the Acronyms.
In celebration of Pride we're flashing back to an early Unf*cking: UNFTR on LGBTQ. Read the essay or visit the episode resources online . -- Today we begin a conversation about the LGBTQ movement in the United States, with a nod to our Canadian friends as well. In order to properly introduce issues facing LGBTQ people into the larger context of socio economic and political topics we cover on UNFTR, we wanted to start with a conversation about the evolving language of inclusion and representation within the LGBTQ community. Resources Edmonton CityNews: Hope blossoms as first two-spirited MP elected Code Switch: Is It Time To Say R.I.P. to P.O.C.? Geneseo: Understanding Gender Identity and Gender Expression PBS: American Experience- Stonewall Uprising New York Times: The Stonewall You Know Is a Myth. And That’s O.K Human Rights Campaign: Fatal Violence Against the Transgender and Gender Non-Conforming Community in 2021 National Center For Transgender Equality: LGBTQ People Behind Bars Human Rights Campaign: Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity Definitions The Williams Institute: Poverty In The Lesbian, Gay, And Bisexual Community Columbia Journalism Review: How the word ‘queer’ was adopted by the LGBTQ community LGBTQIA Resource Center: UC Davis Resource Book Love Eric Cervini: The Deviant's War: The Homosexual vs. the United States of America Joey Mogul, Andrea Ritchie + Kay Whitlock: Queer (In)Justice: The Criminalization of LGBT People in the United States -- If you like the pod version of #UNFTR, make sure to check out the video version on Yo
Sat, May 18, 2024
Pause. Reset. Where do we go from here? Max Unfiltered.
I’m still catching my breath from the immigration series, slew of Phone A Friends and topical political stories these past couple of weeks. The upcoming episodes are all pretty exciting and intense so I decided to take a moment to have a family meeting with Unf*ckers in another “Max Unfiltered.” Resources UNFTR: Over The Borderline: Intro . UNFTR: Phone A Friend: Rev. Roger Williams . UNFTR: Phone A Friend: Ben Burgis . UNFTR: Phone A Friend: Briahna Joy Gray . UNFTR: On Protest and Anti-Semitism . Al Jazeera: ‘Hell on Earth’ as violence escalates in Sudan’s el-Fasher The Washington Post: ChatGPT provided better customer service than his staff. He fired them. Bernie Sanders: Thirty-Two Hour Workweek Act The Hill: Corporate profits hit record high as economy boomed in fourth quarter of 2023 ITEP: Corporate Taxes Before and After the Trump Tax Law UNFTR: Project 2025 . UNFTR: Phone A Friend: Jeff Main . UNFTR: Phone A Friend: Tad DeLay . -- If you like the pod version of #UNFTR, make sure to check out the video version on YouTube where Max shows his beautiful face! www.youtube.com/@UNFTR Please leave us a rating and review on Apple Podcasts: unftr.com/rate and follow us on Facebook , Twitter and Instagram at @UNFTRpod. Visit us online at unftr.com . Join the Unf*cker-run Facebook group: facebook.com/groups/2051537518349565 Buy yourself some Unf*cking Cof
Sat, May 11, 2024
On Protest and Anti-Semitism: Listening through propaganda.
Max takes aim at NYU professor Scott Galloway who recently appeared on CNN to criticize student protests with the most bizarre analysis that smacks of laziness and propaganda. While “takedowns” and “gotchas” aren’t Max’s favorite thing, he makes an exception for Galloway because of the space he occupies in the media ecosystem and on the spectrum of white male bro-influencers with independent platforms that are poisoning the media. Max also provides closing thoughts on the rise of anti-Semitism and the dangers of conflating Judaism with the far-right ruling government in Israel. Chapters Intro: 00:01:34 Section One: 00:11:05 Section Two: 00:17:11 Section Three: 00:19:01 Section Four: 00:20:25 Section Five: 00:25:40 Post Show Musings: 00:39:30 Outro: 00:48:32 Resources CNN: Why NYU professor says instructors who are protesting should be fired ACLU: Know Your Rights: Students in Higher Education & the First Amendment ACLU: Defending Speech We Hate Axios: Over 2,000 protesters arrested at college campuses across the U.S. Los Angeles Times: Striking deals to end campus protests, some colleges invite discussion of their investments PBS: Protests and Backlash Niche.com: Most Conservative Colleges in the U.S. Common Dreams: Israeli Finance Minister Denounced for Calling for 'Total Annihilation' of Gaza Haaretz: They Incited Rabin’s Murder. Now They’re Murdering Israel’s Democracy Vox: TikTok isn’t creating false support for Palestine. It’s just reflecting what’s already there. The Baffler: Parting Waters: Passover at the Columbia encampment -- If you like the pod version of #UNFTR, make sure to check out the video version on YouTube where Max shows his b
Fri, May 10, 2024
Show Notes [Over The Borderline: Part Three. + Phone A Friend: Jeff Main.]
In today's Show Notes, Max and 99 get into many spirited discussions inspired by Unf*cker feedback—from climate change to faux intellectual influencers. Additionally, they touch on some topical headlines relevant to the Over The Borderline Series and Point of Pride Phone A Friend. Enjoy! Chapters Intro: 00:00:20 Emails: 00:34:25 Outro: 01:30:00 Resources Phone A Friend: Jeff Main, Executive Director of Point of Pride . Point of Pride Resource Library Erin Reed Substack , @erininthemorn on Twitter and TikTok @pointofprideorg on Instagram , @pointofpride on Facebook BBC: José Raúl Mulino: Stand-in for convicted candidate wins Panama presidency New York Magazine: Andrew Huberman’s Mechanisms of Control Phone A Friend: Tad Delay, author of Future of Denial . UNFTR Episode: A (Mostly) Vegan World . UNFTR Episode: Building the Climate Industrial Complex . Highland Lakes Canine Rescue (HLCR) @hlcaninerescue on Facebook , Instagram and TikTok Unf*cker Recommendations George Orwell: The Road to Wigan Pier Jacobin Radio: Behind the News: Criminalizing Protest w/ Adam Federman -- If you like the pod version of #UNFTR, make sure to check out the video version on YouTube where Max shows his beautiful face! www.youtube.com/@UNFTR Please leave us a rating and review on Apple Podcasts: unftr.com/rate and follow us on Facebook , Twitter and Instagram at @UNFTRpod. Visit us online at unftr.com . Join the Unf*cker-run Facebook
Tue, May 07, 2024
Phone A Friend: Jeff Main, Executive Director of Point of Pride.
One half of one percent of Americans identify as a gender other than the one assigned to them at birth. And yet our state legislatures found the time to propose more than 550 anti-LGBTQ+ bills in 2023, with over 80 passed into law and nearly all focused narrowly on restricting trans rights. According to Human Rights Watch, since the Transgender Day of Remembrance in November of 2022, at least 33 transgender and gender non-conforming people have been killed in the United States. In 2024, state legislatures are on pace to drop even more legislation. To help us wrap our minds around the challenges facing the trans community, I spoke with Jeff Main, executive director of Point of Pride, an organization dedicated to helping trans youth and adults access necessary, life-saving health and wellness services. Point of Pride’s vision is a world where trans and gender diverse people see a bright future for themselves—living their authentic truth. Resources Point of Pride Point of Pride Instagram Point of Pride Facebook Mercury Stardust Instagram Alluring Skull Instagram Erin Reed Substack -- If you like the pod version of #UNFTR, make sure to check out the video version on YouTube where Max shows his beautiful face! www.youtube.com/@UNFTR Please leave us a rating and review on Apple Podcasts: unftr.com/rate and follow us on Facebook , Twitter and Instagram at @UNFTRpod. Visit us online at unftr.com . Join the Unf*cker-run Facebook group: facebook.com/groups/2051537518349565 Buy yourself some Unf*cking Coffee® at shop.unftr.com . Subscribe to Unf*cking The Republic® at unftr.com/blog to get the essays these episode are framed around sent to your inbox every week. Check out the UNFTR Pod Love playlist on Spotify: spoti.fi/3yzIlUP. Visit our bookshop.org page at bookshop.org/shop/UNFTRpod to find the full UNFTR book list, and find book recommendations from our Unf*ckers at bookshop.org/l
Sat, May 04, 2024
Over the Borderline: Part Three. The Economics of Migration.
Our third and final installment of Over The Borderline stays below the U.S. southern border to look at the economic factors that contribute to mass migration from Central and South American countries specifically. We look at the root economic causes of migration, the U.S. failure to meaningfully partner with LAC nations to promote mutually beneficial economic conditions and the expansion of China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) in Latin America and the geopolitical impact that’s having on our relationships. Chapters Intro: 00:01:01 Chapter One: 00:02:45 Chapter Two: 00:10:19 Chapter Three: 00:22:16 Chapter Four: 00:31:02 Post Show Musings: 00:38:18 Outro: 00:53:01 Book Love Alan McPherson: A Short History of U.S. Interventions in Latin America and the Caribbean Carol Wise: Dragonomics: How Latin America is Maximizing (or Missing Out on) China’s International Development Strategy Tad DeLay: Future of Denial: The Ideologies of Climate Change Imperialism, Neoliberalism, And Social Struggles in Latin America Resources El Pais: Mexican Tycoon Carlos Slim Takes Stock of the last six years… Congressional Research Service: Central American Migration U.S. State Department: Dollar Diplomacy World Population Review: Country Rank by GDP World Bank: Latin America and the Caribbean Economic Review (LACER); April, 2024 Council on Foreign Relations: China’s Massive Belt and Road Initiative UNFTR Episode Resources The Washington Consensus -- If you like the pod version of #UNFTR, make sure to check out the video version on YouTube where Max shows his beautiful face! www.youtube.com/@UNFTR Please leave us a rating and review on Apple Podcasts: unftr.com/rate and follow us on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/Unfucking-The-Republic-10231
Fri, May 03, 2024
Show Notes [Phone A Friend: Tad DeLay.]
In today's Show Notes, Max and 99 review Unf*cker feedback from the Over The Borderline series and the recent Phone A Friend with Tad DeLay. Enjoy! Chapters Intro: 00:00:20 Emails: 00:08:55 Instagram Shout Outs: 00:43:09 Member Shout Outs: 00:46:28 Outro: 00:47:04 Resources Phone A Friend: Tad DeLay. -- If you like the pod version of #UNFTR, make sure to check out the video version on YouTube where Max shows his beautiful face! www.youtube.com/@UNFTR Please leave us a rating and review on Apple Podcasts: unftr.com/rate and follow us on Facebook , Twitter and Instagram at @UNFTRpod. Visit us online at unftr.com . Join the Unf*cker-run Facebook group: facebook.com/groups/2051537518349565 Buy yourself some Unf*cking Coffee® at shop.unftr.com . Subscribe to Unf*cking The Republic® at unftr.com/blog to get the essays these episode are framed around sent to your inbox every week. Check out the UNFTR Pod Love playlist on Spotify: spoti.fi/3yzIlUP. Visit our bookshop.org page at bookshop.org/shop/UNFTRpod to find the full UNFTR book list, and find book recommendations from our Unf*ckers at bookshop.org/lists/unf-cker-book-recommendations . Access the UNFTR Musicless feed by following the instructions at unftr.com/accessibility . Unf*cking the Republic® is produced by 99 and engineered by Manny Faces Media ( mannyfacesmedia.com ). Original music is by Tom McGovern ( tommcgovern.com ) and Hold Fast ( holdfastband.com ). The show is written and hosted by Max and distributed by 99. Podcast art description: Image of the US Constitution ripped in the middle revealing white text on a blue background that says, "Unf*cking the Republic®." Support the show: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/unftr See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Sat, April 27, 2024
Phone A Friend: Tad DeLay, author of Future of Denial: The Ideologies of Climate Change.
Welcome to Phone A Friend. Today we’re speaking with Tad DeLay, the author of the newly released book Future of Denial: The Ideologies of Climate Change . Tad Delay is a philosopher, religion scholar and interdisciplinary critical theorist. His books include Against: What Does the White Evangelical Want? , The Cynic and the Fool , and God is Unconscious . He is an Assistant Professor of Philosophy in Baltimore. I positively devoured this book and am anxious to dig into his previous titles as well. There are so many intersections that speak to the work that we do on UNFTR that I know it will resonate with you. Philosophy. Theology. Science. And even the dismal science. Future of Denial takes a multidisciplinary approach woven together with factual anecdotes and projections of science fiction. It is at once deeply intellectual and approachable; a delicate feat. Marx and Engels in dialogue with Freud and Greta Thunberg concluding with the words of Rosa Luxemburg…obviously I was in pure heaven digesting this work. Access the transcript . Resources Tad DeLay: Future of Denial: The Ideologies of Climate Change Verso: Future of Denial: The Ideologies of Climate Change TadDelay.com Tad on Facebook Tad on Twitter First Paper to Link CO2 and Global Warming, by Eunice Foote (1856) John Tyndall: Heat considered as a Mode of Motion Karl Marx: Capital Vol. 1, 2, & 3 John Bellamy Foster: Marx's Ecology: Materialism and Nature Erik M. Conway + Naomi Oreskes: Merchants of Doubt: How a Handful of Scientists Obscured the Truth on Issues from Tobacco Smoke to Climate Change -- If you like the pod version of #UNFTR, make sure to check out the video version on YouTube where Max shows his beautiful face! www.youtube.com/@UNFTR Please leave us a rating and review on Apple Podcasts: unftr.com/rate and follow us on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/Unfuckin
Fri, April 26, 2024
Show Notes [RFK Jr.’s Trojan Horse Campaign.]
In today's Show Notes, Max & 99 dive into some headlines, as well as the divisive feedback from the recent UNFTR episode/video on RFK Jr. Enjoy! Chapters Intro: 00:00:20 Headlines: 00:23:16 Emails + YouTube Comments: 00:43:22 Outro: 01:06:08 UNFTR Episode Resources Video: RFK's Trojan Horse Campaign: What Michigan Ballot Access Means Episode: RFK's Trojan Horse Campaign: What Michigan Ballot Access Means -- If you like the pod version of #UNFTR, make sure to check out the video version on YouTube where Max shows his beautiful face! www.youtube.com/@UNFTR Please leave us a rating and review on Apple Podcasts: unftr.com/rate and follow us on Facebook , Twitter and Instagram at @UNFTRpod. Visit us online at unftr.com . Join the Unf*cker-run Facebook group: facebook.com/groups/2051537518349565 Buy yourself some Unf*cking Coffee® at shop.unftr.com . Subscribe to Unf*cking The Republic® at unftr.com/blog to get the essays these episode are framed around sent to your inbox every week. Check out the UNFTR Pod Love playlist on Spotify: spoti.fi/3yzIlUP. Visit our bookshop.org page at bookshop.org/shop/UNFTRpod to find the full UNFTR book list, and find book recommendations from our Unf*ckers at bookshop.org/lists/unf-cker-book-recommendations . Access the UNFTR Musicless feed by following the instructions at unftr.com/accessibility . Unf*cking the Republic® is produced by 99 and engineered by Manny Faces Media ( mannyfacesmedia.com ). Original music is by Tom McGovern ( tommcgovern.com ) and Hold Fast ( holdfastband.com ). The show is written and hosted by Max and distributed by 99. Podcast art description: Image of the US Constitution ripped in the middle revealing white text on a blue background that says, "Unf*cking the Republic®." Support the show: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/unftr See <a href="https://omnystu
Mon, April 22, 2024
RFK Jr.’s Trojan Horse Campaign: On the Ballot in Michigan.
For months we’ve said that RFK Jr. is the biggest threat to Biden’s re-election. Now that he’s gained ballot access in Michigan, it’s time to go beyond the vaccine headlines to examine Kennedy the nascent politician and what his candidacy means to this election cycle. Just as the pollsters missed several important cues during the 2016 election, we might be underestimating the impact Kennedy has beyond his loyal environmental and anti-vaccine followers the media focuses on. Resources FiveThirtyEight: 2016 Election Forecast Associate Press: Robert F. Kennedy Jr. secures ballot access in battleground state of Michigan New York Times: The Ex-Bernie Sanders Pollster Raising Alarms About R.F.K. Jr.’s Appeal Among Latinos and Young Voters Quinnipiac Poll: Is Democracy In The U.S. Working? It's A Toss-Up, But Voters Don't See It Ending In Their Lifetimes The Conversation: Anti-vaccination beliefs don’t follow the usual political polarization Wired: RFK Jr.’s Very Online, Conspiracy-Filled Campaign New York Times: R.F.K. Jr.’s Environmental Colleagues Urge Him to Drop Presidential Bid CNN: Kennedy family brushes off RFK Jr.’s campaign as they endorse Biden -- If you like the pod version of #UNFTR, make sure to check out the video version on YouTube where Max shows his beautiful face! www.youtube.com/@UNFTR Please leave us a rating and review on Apple Podcasts: unftr.com/rate and follow us on Facebook , Twitter and Instagram at @UNFTRpod. Visit us online at unftr.com . Join the Unf*cker-run Facebook group: facebook.com/groups/2051537518349565 Buy yourself some Unf*cking Coffee® at shop.unftr.com . Subscribe to Unf*cking The Republic® at unftr.com/blog to get the essays these episode are framed arou
Sat, April 20, 2024
The Evolution of AOC and Behind the Trump Bump.
Distracted Max reached new heights this week so instead of releasing the third installment of the Over the Borderline series, he mashed up two shorter Topical Creams from YouTube into an episode. Both cover familiar ground to keep a focus on what matters politically. The “silly season” is when narratives harden so sometimes it’s important to reassert certain claims. The first segment is about AOC’s recent decision to fund the Democratic Party in the upcoming election for the first time in her brief career. The second is a reminder that the things that people recall fondly from the Trump era were predominantly socialist-style and Keynesian interventions that provided momentary relief and financial security for all those who made it through COVID. Chapters Intro: 00:00:18 The Evolution of AOC: 00:02:16 Behind the Trump Bump: 00:10:36 Post Show Musings: 00:18:33 Outro: 01:16:25 Resources OpenSecrets: Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez The Moscow Times: Why Is Stalin’s Popularity On the Rise? The Guardian: Trump suggests 'nuking hurricanes' to stop them hitting America – report Newsweek: Trump Suggests Not Raking Leaves Is Bigger Cause of California Wildfires Than Climate Change Brookings: What did the Fed do in response to the COVID-19 crisis? UNFTR Episode Resources Hands Off AOC. AOC & the Lying Men Hydra. -- If you like the pod version of #UNFTR, make sure to check out the video version on YouTube where Max shows his beautiful face! www.youtube.com/@UNFTR Please leave us a rating and review on Apple Podcasts: unftr.com/rate and follow us on Facebook , Twitter and Instagram at @UNFTRpod. Visit us online at unftr.com . Join the Unf*cker-run Facebook group: facebook.com/groups/2051537518349565 Buy yourself some Unf*cking Coffee® at shop.unftr.com
Sat, April 13, 2024
Over the Borderline: Part Two. The Politics of Migration.
In today’s episode, we head to the border and below to examine the root causes and circumstances that factor into immigration patterns, from economic opportunity to asylum. Max speaks with Maureen Meyer from The Washington Office on Latin America, known as WOLA, a D.C. based organization that advocates for human rights in the Americas. Meyer serves as WOLA’s Vice President for Programs, working with senior staff to develop policy priorities and strategies to advance human rights and social justice in Latin America. We’re still following the blended episodic and Phone A Friend approach for this series, so Max begins with a brief discussion about the complex nature of immigration policy and the historical relationship between the United States and Latin America. Chapters Intro: 00:00:36 Episode Section: 00:03:30 Interview: 00:21:20 Resources WNYC: WNYC's Suds & Civics project brings political dialogue to laundromats across the NY metro area American Immigration Council: CBP One: An Overview Pew Research Center: Migrant encounters at U.S.-Mexico border hit record high at end of 2023 Human Rights Watch: Venezuela: Events of 2023 Migration Policy Institute: Shifting Patterns and Policies Reshape Migration to U.S.-Mexico Border in Major Ways in 2023 The Baffler: Enigmas of Ecuador | Pablo Ospina Peralta WhiteHouse.gov: FACT SHEET: The United States and Central America: Honoring Our Commitments Forbes: 2024: A New Age For Venezuela-U.S. Relations Gobierno de Mêxico: México y Venezuela estrechan cooperación en materia migratoria El País: United States reactivates mass deportations of Venezuelans to relieve pressure on the border with Mexico Council on Foreign Relations: <a href="https://w
Sat, April 06, 2024
Show Notes [SPACtacular Bullsh*t.]
Max and 99 are back today to talk "SPACtacular Bullsh*t" feedback, catch up with the Unf*ckers and get into numerous tangents, of course. Enjoy! Chapters Intro: 00:00:20 Emails: 00:07:13 Facebook Shout Outs: 00:52:14 YouTube Shout Outs: 00:59:51 Members + Outro: 01:05:39 Resources Deep Blue Something: Breakfast At Tiffany's Project 2025 YouTube Video Unf*cker Recommendations McFleshman's Brewing Co: Respecting the Beer Podcast UNFTR Episode Resources Immigration Nation: A Crisis Of Our Own Design . SPACtacular Bullsh*t: Inside Trump’s Multi-Billion Dollar Sham. -- If you like the pod version of #UNFTR, make sure to check out the video version on YouTube where Max shows his beautiful face! www.youtube.com/@UNFTR Please leave us a rating and review on Apple Podcasts: unftr.com/rate and follow us on Facebook , Twitter and Instagram at @UNFTRpod. Visit us online at unftr.com . Join the Unf*cker-run Facebook group: facebook.com/groups/2051537518349565 Buy yourself some Unf*cking Coffee® at shop.unftr.com . Subscribe to Unf*cking The Republic® at unftr.com/blog to get the essays these episode are framed around sent to your inbox every week. Check out the UNFTR Pod Love playlist on Spotify: spoti.fi/3yzIlUP. Visit our bookshop.org page at bookshop.org/shop/UNFTRpod to find the full UNFTR book list, and find book recommendations from our Unf*ckers at bookshop.org/lists/unf-cker-book-recommendations . Access the UNFTR Musicless feed by following the instructions at unftr.com/accessibility . Unf*cking the Republic® is produced by 99 and engineered by Manny Faces Media ( mannyfacesmedia.com ). Original music is by Tom McGovern ( tommcgovern.com ) and Hold Fast (<a href=
Sat, March 30, 2024
SPACtacular Bullsh*t: Inside Trump’s Multi-Billion Dollar Sham.
He did it again. The Donald pulled off yet another miracle by taking his (failing) social media platform public. The deal had been in the works for a while and looked DOA last year. But it was revived recently and when it hit the Nasdaq this week it added billions to Trump's net worth and gave him an immediate cash infusion that will likely prevent him having to sell assets to make the (reduced) bond in his civil fraud case. The wealthy in this country truly operate under different rules. The mechanism Trump used to take a losing company public quickly and with relative ease compared to normal IPOs is called a SPAC, or Special Purpose Acquisition Company. SPACs gained a lot of attention a few years back before basically imploding as regulators frowned upon them and investments fizzled. As quickly as they gained prominence, they flamed out and were basically revealed to be scams. But it didn't stop the biggest SCAM artist in the world from packaging up his SCAM social media platform inside a SCAM financial vehicle. God bless 'Murica. Chapters Intro: 00:00:38 Chapter One: 00:07:01 Chapter Two: 00:17:57 Chapter Three: 00:26:44 Post Show Musings: 00:26:$4 Resources New York Times: Why Only One Top Banker Went to Jail for the Financial Crisis Morningstar: How to Lose Money: Buy Digital World Acquisition Corp. SPACInsider: Benessere Capital Acquisition Corp. (BENE) to Liquidate Trust SPAC Insider: Executive Drama at Digital World Acquisition Corp. (DWAC) Provides New Source of Risk Financial Review: Meet the Brazilian ‘prince’, Luiz Philippe de Orléans e Braganza, backing Donald Trump’s media venture Investment Adviser Public Disclosure: Brian C. Shevland CBS News: Trump's Truth Social is losing money and has scant sales. Yet it could trade at a $5 billion value. Mizuho Insights: The SPAC Roller Coaster – Is a Renaissance Coming? Fast Company: DWAC s
Thu, March 28, 2024
Show Notes [“Project 2025.”]
Max and 99 are back together in the studio to discuss Project 2025 Feedback, share Over the Borderline updates, and of course, tell a silly story or two. Enjoy! Chapters Intro: 00:00:20 Emails: 00:31:51 Instagram Shoutouts: 00:39:19 YouTube Shoutouts: 00:40:05 New Members: 01:02:16 Outro: 01:04:02 Resources Become a UNFTR Member UNFTR Series The Kosh Podcast: Episode 121: Bob Knudsen - County Board Supervisor Candidate District #16 Unf*cker Recommendations Rutger Bregman: Humankind: A Hopeful History Unf*cking Episode Resources Don’t sweat the election. We already lost. "Project 2025." Over The Borderline. -- If you like the pod version of #UNFTR, make sure to check out the video version on YouTube where Max shows his beautiful face! www.youtube.com/@UNFTR Please leave us a rating and review on Apple Podcasts: unftr.com/rate and follow us on Facebook , Twitter and Instagram at @UNFTRpod. Visit us online at unftr.com . Join the Unf*cker-run Facebook group: facebook.com/groups/2051537518349565 Buy yourself some Unf*cking Coffee® at shop.unftr.com . Subscribe to Unf*cking The Republic® at unftr.com/blog to get the essays these episode are framed around sent to your inbox every week. Check out the UNFTR Pod Love playlist on Spotify: spoti.fi/3yzIlUP. Visit our bookshop.org page at bookshop.org/shop/UNFTRpod to find the full UNFTR book list, and find book recommendations from our Unf*ckers at bookshop.org/lists/unf-cker-book-recommendations . Access the UNFTR Musicless feed by following the instructions at unftr.com/accessibility . Unf*cking the Republic® is produced by 99 and engineere
Sat, March 23, 2024
Unf*cking Flashback: Corporate (Ir)Responsibility: Parts One and Two.
Silly season is in full swing so politicians take center stage. But it's important to remember who really pulls the strings and runs the show. This week is an overdue flashback to our Corporate (Ir)Responsibility episodes that have been combined for the first time by the great Manny Faces for your listening pleasure. It's a good refresh on the bad actors that came together to rig the system. We'll be back next week with more original content as we plug away at the border crisis and other pressing issues. For now, enjoy! This episode online Essay + Show Notes Resources HBR: Why Are Companies Sitting on So Much Cash? The Atlantic: When the Top U.S. Tax Rate was 70 Percent—or Higher Bloomberg Tax: 10 Steps States Should Take to End Corporate Giveaways Politico: Actually, it was Democrats who killed the 70 percent tax Foreign Policy: To Pay for the Pandemic, Dry Out the Tax Havens Tax Policy Center: What is the TCJA repatriation tax and how does it work Tax Justice Network: Financial Secrecy Index - 2020 Results OCCRP: Giant Leak of Offshore Financial Records Exposes Global Array of Crime and Corruption Tax Foundation: How Much Revenue Would a 70% Top Tax Rate Raise? An Initial Analysis FRED: Unemployment Rate Trading Economics: Corporate Tax Rate in the United States remained unchanged at 21 percent in 2021 from 21 percent in 2020 BLS: Inheritances and the Distribution of Wealth, Or Whatever Happened to the Great Inheritance Boom? Tax Foundation: Corporate Tax Rates around the World, 2020 Road & Track: Yes, The Chevrolet Corva
Sat, March 16, 2024
“Project 2025.” Republicans With Time.
There are few things in this world as dangerous as Republicans with time on their hands. When Republicans find themselves out of office, they stay busy hatching evil plans in undisclosed lairs somewhere. Actually, they do it in think tanks. What’s impressive is how many plans they concoct during these periods that actually wind up as legislative public policy when they’re re-elected. The Heritage Foundation’s Project 2025 playbook is one of the more devastating handbooks ever written and it’s really important that we take them at their word given prior successes. This week’s episode is a deep dive into the 900+ book they recently published to help guide the next conservative president’s first 180 days in office. Resources Project 2025 The Project for the New American Century: Rebuilding America's Defenses Project 2025: Mandate For Leadership Global Project Against Hate and Extremism: Project 2025: The Far-Right Playbook for American Authoritarianism The New York Times: Trump’s Tariffs Hurt U.S. Jobs but Swayed American Voters, Study Says Unf*cking Episode Resources The American Propaganda Machine. The Carter Series. F*ck Milton Friedman. The Clinton Years. Don’t sweat the election. We already lost. -- If you like the pod version of #UNFTR, make sure to check out the video version on YouTube where Max shows his beautiful face! www.youtube.com/@UNFTR Please leave us a rating and review on Apple Podcasts: unftr.com/rate and follow us on Facebook , Twitter and Instagram at @UNFTRpod. Visit us online at unftr.com . Join the Unf*cker-run Facebook group: facebook.com/groups/2051537518349565 Buy yourself some Unf*cking Coffee® at shop.unftr.com . Subscribe to Unf*cking The Republic® at <a href="https://www.unft
Fri, March 15, 2024
Show Notes [Over the Borderline: Part One.]
Today is a Max solo adventure; join him as he covers feedback from the new Over the Borderline series, as well as some Unf*cker comments from the recent Phone A Friends. Chapters Intro: 00:00:20 Emails: 00:02:31 Outro: 00:42:34 Resources Over the Borderline: Part One. Phone A Friend: George Laws García, Executive Director of the Puerto Rico Statehood Council. Phone A Friend: Briahna Joy Gray of the Bad Faith Podcast. -- If you like the pod version of #UNFTR, make sure to check out the video version on YouTube where Max shows his beautiful face! www.youtube.com/@UNFTR Please leave us a rating and review on Apple Podcasts: unftr.com/rate and follow us on Facebook , Twitter and Instagram at @UNFTRpod. Visit us online at unftr.com . Join the Unf*cker-run Facebook group: facebook.com/groups/2051537518349565 Buy yourself some Unf*cking Coffee® at shop.unftr.com . Subscribe to Unf*cking The Republic® at unftr.com/blog to get the essays these episode are framed around sent to your inbox every week. Check out the UNFTR Pod Love playlist on Spotify: spoti.fi/3yzIlUP. Visit our bookshop.org page at bookshop.org/shop/UNFTRpod to find the full UNFTR book list, and find book recommendations from our Unf*ckers at bookshop.org/lists/unf-cker-book-recommendations . Access the UNFTR Musicless feed by following the instructions at unftr.com/accessibility . Unf*cking the Republic® is produced by 99 and engineered by Manny Faces Media ( mannyfacesmedia.com ). Original music is by Tom McGovern ( tommcgovern.com ) and Hold Fast ( holdfastband.com ). The show is written and hosted by Max and distributed by 99. Podcast art description: Image of the US Constitution ripped in the middle revealing white text on a blue background that says, "Unf*cking the Republic®." Support the show: h
Sat, March 09, 2024
Over the Borderline: Part One. New York’s Migrant Crisis.
We kick off the first installment in our series “Over the Borderline” where we examine the plight of immigrant families, the socioeconomic and political conditions that drive people to migrate to the United States and the current crisis that has become a central talking point in the 2024 election. This first episode is a spotlight on New York City, which has been overwhelmed by a surge in migrant families being bused from border states as part of a political maneuver to deposit the immigration issue at the feet of leaders in Blue States. After a brief summary and update of how the situation has changed over the past two years, we speak with Marlene Galaz, Director of Immigrant Rights Policy at the New York Immigration Coalition. Chapters Intro: 00:00:36 Interview: 00:12:41 Resources Associated Press: With beds scarce and winter bearing down, a tent camp grows outside NYC’s largest migrant shelter NYC.gov: NYC Shelter Information The City: What Exactly Is a Sanctuary City and What Does That Mean for NYC? Gothamist: Nearly 80% of New Yorkers back right to shelter, poll finds New York City Police Department: NYPD Announces January 2024 Citywide Crime Statistics The New York Times: National Guard and State Police Will Patrol the Subways and Check Bags NYC.gov: Seven Major Felony Offenses City & State New York: As migrant families receive 60 day eviction notices, advocates rally to ditch the policy New York Immigration Coalition -- If you like the pod version of #UNFTR, make sure to check out the video version on YouTube where Max shows his beautiful face! www.youtube.com/@UNFTR Please leave us a rating and review on Apple Podcasts: unftr.com/rate and follow us on Facebook , Twitter and <a href="https://www.instagram.com/unft
Fri, March 08, 2024
Show Notes [Phone A Friend: George Laws García + Briahna Joy Gray.]
Max and 99 are apart this week but meet up ~virtually~ to discuss feedback from the two recent Phone A Friends! Chapters Intro: 00:00:20 Email: 00:10:43 Outro: 00:33:19 Resources Phone A Friend: George Laws García, Executive Director of the Puerto Rico Statehood Council. Phone A Friend: Briahna Joy Gray of the Bad Faith Podcast. -- If you like the pod version of #UNFTR, make sure to check out the video version on YouTube where Max shows his beautiful face! www.youtube.com/@UNFTR Please leave us a rating and review on Apple Podcasts: unftr.com/rate and follow us on Facebook , Twitter and Instagram at @UNFTRpod. Visit us online at unftr.com . Join the Unf*cker-run Facebook group: facebook.com/groups/2051537518349565 Buy yourself some Unf*cking Coffee® at shop.unftr.com . Subscribe to Unf*cking The Republic® at unftr.com/blog to get the essays these episode are framed around sent to your inbox every week. Check out the UNFTR Pod Love playlist on Spotify: spoti.fi/3yzIlUP. Visit our bookshop.org page at bookshop.org/shop/UNFTRpod to find the full UNFTR book list, and find book recommendations from our Unf*ckers at bookshop.org/lists/unf-cker-book-recommendations . Access the UNFTR Musicless feed by following the instructions at unftr.com/accessibility . Unf*cking the Republic® is produced by 99 and engineered by Manny Faces Media ( mannyfacesmedia.com ). Original music is by Tom McGovern ( tommcgovern.com ) and Hold Fast ( holdfastband.com ). The show is written and hosted by Max and distributed by 99. Podcast art description: Image of the US Constitution ripped in the middle revealing white text on a blue background that says, "Unf*cking the Republic®." Support the show: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/unftr See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Thu, March 07, 2024
Over the Borderline: An Introduction.
This is the brief introduction to our series “Over the Borderline” where we update our reporting on immigration and the border crisis to examine the myriad moving parts of this hot button topic. The series kicks off this weekend with a look at the current crisis facing New York City with busloads of migrants continually flowing into the city on a daily basis and stretching city services to their limits. Then we’ll head south of the border to examine the root causes of mass migration from economic and political perspectives. In this introduction we set the table for the discussion going forward and speak to the highly charged political nature of immigration and how it’s playing out in the presidential election cycle. Resources U.S. Government Accountability Office: U.S. Immigration Courts See a Significant and Growing Backlog Associated Press: With beds scarce and winter bearing down, a tent camp grows outside NYC’s largest migrant shelter UNFTR Episode Resources Immigration Nation: A Crisis of Our Own Design. Quickie: Fox in the Outhouse. Invasion, Immigration & Inflation. The Washington Consensus: Consensus is not consent. -- If you like the pod version of #UNFTR, make sure to check out the video version on YouTube where Max shows his beautiful face! www.youtube.com/@UNFTR Please leave us a rating and review on Apple Podcasts: unftr.com/rate and follow us on Facebook , Twitter and Instagram at @UNFTRpod. Visit us online at unftr.com . Join the Unf*cker-run Facebook group: facebook.com/groups/2051537518349565 Buy yourself some Unf*cking Coffee® at shop.unftr.com . Subscribe to Unf*cking The Republic® at unftr.com/blog to get the essays these episode are framed around sent to your inbox every week. Check out the UNFTR Pod Love playlist on Spotify: spoti.fi/3yzIlUP. Visit our bookshop.org page at bookshop.org/shop/UNFTRpod to find the full UNFTR book
Sat, March 02, 2024
Phone A Friend: George Laws García, Executive Director of the Puerto Rico Statehood Council.
Our guest this week is George Laws-García, the Executive Director of the Puerto Rico Statehood Council. A longtime policy advocate and consultant and native of San Juan, Laws-García was tapped to be the organization’s first executive director to increase the engagement of Puerto Rico statehood supporters. George and I have a great conversation about the hows and whys of statehood, roadblocks and resistance the movement faces and the tension between advocates for statehood versus full independence. He is a wealth of information and an extremely thoughtful approach that I know you’ll appreciate. He doesn’t shy away from the dark side of the imperial and colonial relationship between the U.S. and Puerto Rico and some of the atrocities that those we are unfamiliar with our past might find surprising. Resources Puerto Rico 51st Puerto Rico 51st on Twitter Puerto Rico 51st on Facebook Puerto Rico 51st on Instagram Puerto Rico 51st on YouTube George H. Laws García on Twitter George H. Laws García on Instagram -- If you like the pod version of #UNFTR, make sure to check out the video version on YouTube where Max shows his beautiful face! www.youtube.com/@UNFTR Please leave us a rating and review on Apple Podcasts: unftr.com/rate and follow us on Facebook , Twitter and Instagram at @UNFTRpod. Visit us online at unftr.com . Join the Unf*cker-run Facebook group: facebook.com/groups/2051537518349565 Buy yourself some Unf*cking Coffee® at shop.unftr.com . Subscribe to Unf*cking The Republic® at unftr.com/blog to get the essays these episode are framed around sent to your inbox every week. Check out the UNFTR Pod Love playlist on Spotify: spoti.fi/3yzIlUP. Visit our bookshop.org page at bookshop.org/shop/UNFTRpod to find the full UNFTR book list, and find book recommendations from our Unf*ckers at bookshop.org/lists/unf-cker-book-recommendations</
Wed, February 28, 2024
Phone A Friend: Briahna Joy Gray of the Bad Faith Podcast.
On this week’s UNFTR Phone a Friend we’re speaking with the incomparable Briahna Joy Gray. Briahna is the host of the popular politics podcast and YouTube channel Bad Faith and co-host of The Hill’s Rising. Prior to this she was the National Press Secretary for the Bernie Sanders 2020 campaign, was senior politics editor at The Intercept and has written for The Guardian, Rolling Stone, New York Magazine and for our friends over at Current Affairs Magazine. She has a B.A. and a law degree from Harvard University and I personally believe her to be one of the most uncompromising intellectuals and searing interrogators in the news media. We cover a lot of ground in a short period of time so buckle up. Watch the interview on YouTube. Resources Bad Faith Patreon Bad Faith on Spotify Bad Faith on YouTube The Hill's Rising Briahna on Twitter Briahna on Instagram -- If you like the pod version of #UNFTR, make sure to check out the video version on YouTube where Max shows his beautiful face! www.youtube.com/@UNFTR Please leave us a rating and review on Apple Podcasts: unftr.com/rate and follow us on Facebook , Twitter and Instagram at @UNFTRpod. Visit us online at unftr.com . Join the Unf*cker-run Facebook group: facebook.com/groups/2051537518349565 Buy yourself some Unf*cking Coffee® at shop.unftr.com . Subscribe to Unf*cking The Republic® at unftr.com/blog to get the essays these episode are framed around sent to your inbox every week. Check out the UNFTR Pod Love playlist on Spotify: spoti.fi/3yzIlUP. Visit our bookshop.org page at bookshop.org/shop/UNFTRpod to find the full UNFTR book list, and find book recommendations from our Unf*ckers at bookshop.org/lists/unf-cker-book-recommendations . Access the UNFTR Musicless feed by following the instructions at <a h
Wed, February 28, 2024
Show Notes [The Banality of Violence.]
In today's Show Notes Max and 99 catch up on the last few weeks, discussing 'The Banality of Violence,' 'Unf*cking Healthcare,' the 'Palestine' series + more. Enjoy! Chapters Intro: 00:00:40 Housekeeping: 00:08:07 Emails: 00:38:18 Memberships: 01:24:10 Outro: 01:27:23 Resources Become a UNFTR Member Bobby McD's new book: The Occulting Light Manny Faces Online -- If you like the pod version of #UNFTR, make sure to check out the video version on YouTube where Max shows his beautiful face! www.youtube.com/@UNFTR Please leave us a rating and review on Apple Podcasts: unftr.com/rate and follow us on Facebook , Twitter and Instagram at @UNFTRpod. Visit us online at unftr.com . Join the Unf*cker-run Facebook group: facebook.com/groups/2051537518349565 Buy yourself some Unf*cking Coffee® at shop.unftr.com . Subscribe to Unf*cking The Republic® at unftr.com/blog to get the essays these episode are framed around sent to your inbox every week. Check out the UNFTR Pod Love playlist on Spotify: spoti.fi/3yzIlUP. Visit our bookshop.org page at bookshop.org/shop/UNFTRpod to find the full UNFTR book list, and find book recommendations from our Unf*ckers at bookshop.org/lists/unf-cker-book-recommendations . Access the UNFTR Musicless feed by following the instructions at unftr.com/accessibility . Unf*cking the Republic® is produced by 99 and engineered by Manny Faces Media ( mannyfacesmedia.com ). Original music is by Tom McGovern ( tommcgovern.com ) and Hold Fast ( holdfastband.com ). The show is written and hosted by Max and distributed by 99. Podcast art description: Image of the US Constitution ripped in the middle revealing white text on a blue background that says, "Unf*cking the Republic®." Support the show: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/unft
Sat, February 24, 2024
Immigration Nation A Crisis of Our Own Design.
This week is a flashback. Yes, that means re-run but there’s a good reason for it as we covered in Show Notes. We’re bringing back our episode titled Immigration Nation to refresh crucial misconceptions around migration so we can update certain data points and troubling trends. In the weeks to come we’re digging back into the border crisis as it has become one of the central talking points in the upcoming election. Plus, a great deal has changed south of the U.S. border that needs to be incorporated into our understanding of migration patterns, foreign policy and current legislative agendas in D.C. It’s a hot fucking mess that we’re going to untangle one thread at a time. Chapters Intro: 00:00:13 Chapter One: 00:05:52 Chapter Two: 00:11:11 Chapter Three: 00:16:43 Chapter Four: 00:23:25 Chapter Five: 00:29:20 Post Show Musings: 00:34:18 Outro: 00:46:28 Resources BBC News: How many Ukrainians have fled their homes and where have they gone? The Intercept: As Immigration Plummeted, Conservatives Falsely Accused Biden of Fueling a Crisis OECD Statistics: Net Migration National Immigration Law Center: Overview of Immigrant Eligibility for Federal Programs Marketplace: Undocumented immigrants quietly pay billions into Social Security and receive no benefits Congress.gov: H.R.3355 - Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act of 1994 Legal Information Institute: Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigration Responsibility Act The Atlantic: Bill Clinton Owes My Father an Apology Pew Research Center: Most Cuban American voters identify as Republican in 2020 Pew Research Center: The Hispanic Vote in Presidential Elections, 1980-2012 International Policy Digest: U.S. Agriculture is in Crisis The New York Times: <a href=
Sat, February 17, 2024
The Banality of Violence: Our troubling indifference to suffering.
Watching Sean Hannity casually ask Curtis Sliwa to turn the cameras toward Sliwa’s Guardian Angels crew “taking down” a person they perceived to be an undocumented migrant in the streets of New York stuck with me. This particular moment falls so far down on the list of horrifying takes from Hannity and Fox News but for some reason it hit a nerve. The detached indifference of the brief affair prompted me to revisit the writings of Hannah Arendt, one of the great 20th Century philosophers who tackled totalitarianism and morality. This sent me on a journey to examine the way in which the tragedy in Gaza is covered, how we speak about undocumented migrants in this country and our relationship with violence in general. Chapters Intro: 00:01:42 Post Show Musings: 00:21:19 Outro: 00:35:53 This Episode Online Essay Resources Resources Al Jazeera: Israel-Gaza war in maps and charts: Live tracker Democracy Now!: Israel Shoots Dead 17-Year-old Palestinian American in Occupied West Bank The New York Times: The Decline of Deaths in Gaza CNN: At least 16 cemeteries in Gaza have been desecrated by Israeli forces, satellite imagery and videos reveal ABC News: Netanyahu ahead of Rafah ground invasion: 'Victory is within reach' The Intercept: Coverage of Gaza War in the New York Times and Other Major Newspapers Heavily Favored Israel, Analysis Shows The Guardian: Hannah Arendt's challenge to Adolf Eichmann The Intercept: Erik Prince Calls for U.S. to Colonize Africa and Latin America U.S. Department of State: U.S. Relations With El Salvador NPR: Why the 'world's coolest dictator' is on course for a landslide win in El Salvador Vox: <a href="https:/
Sat, February 10, 2024
Phone A Friend: Ben Burgis, author, journalist and podcaster.
Today we get to all live tuition free inside the head of one of the most prominent intellectuals on the left, Ben Burgis. Ben is a Jacobin columnist, an adjunct philosophy professor at Rutgers University, and the host of the YouTube show and podcast Give Them An Argument. He’s also the author of several books including Give Them an Argument: Logic for the Left, Canceling Comedians While the World Burns, a nd Christopher Hitchens: What He Got Right, How He Went Wrong, and Why it Matters. Ben joins Max in a wide ranging discussion from the presidential election and the fracture among liberals and leftists to socialist tendencies and worker cooperatives. Resources Give Them An Argument w/Ben Burgis Jacobin: Ben Burgis Ben Burgis on Twitter Ben Burgis Online Ben Burgis on Substack Christopher Hitchens: What He Got Right, How He Went Wrong, and Why He Still Matters Canceling Comedians While the World Burns: A Critique of the Contemporary Left Myth and Mayhem: A Leftist Critique of Jordan Peterson Give Them an Argument: Logic for the Left -- If you like the pod version of #UNFTR, make sure to check out the video version on YouTube where Max shows his beautiful face! www.youtube.com/@UNFTR Please leave us a rating and review on Apple Podcasts: unftr.com/rate and follow us on Facebook , Twitter and Instagram at @UNFTRpod. Visit us online at unftr.com . Join the Unf*cker-run Facebook group: facebook.com/groups/2051537518349565 Buy yourself some Unf*cking Coffee® at shop.unftr.com . Subscribe to Unf*cking The Republic® at unftr.com/blog to get the essays these episode are framed around sent to your inbox every week. Check out the UNFTR Pod Love playlist on Spotify: spoti.fi/3yzIlUP. Visit our bookshop.org page at <a href="https://bookshop.org/shop/UNF
Thu, February 08, 2024
Show Notes [Don’t sweat the election. We already lost.]
In today's episode of Show Notes, Max & 99 talk 'Don't Sweat The Election' + 'Mental Health Care in America' feedback, and spend plenty of time lightening the mood with pop culture tangents. Enjoy! Resources To access the Premium Newsletter, become a member today! The Ringer: Dewey Cox Ain’t Dead: An Oral History of ‘Walk Hard’ -- If you like the pod version of #UNFTR, make sure to check out the video version on YouTube where Max shows his beautiful face! www.youtube.com/@UNFTR Please leave us a rating and review on Apple Podcasts: unftr.com/rate and follow us on Facebook , Twitter and Instagram at @UNFTRpod. Visit us online at unftr.com . Join the Unf*cker-run Facebook group: facebook.com/groups/2051537518349565 Buy yourself some Unf*cking Coffee® at shop.unftr.com . Subscribe to Unf*cking The Republic® at unftr.com/blog to get the essays these episode are framed around sent to your inbox every week. Check out the UNFTR Pod Love playlist on Spotify: spoti.fi/3yzIlUP. Visit our bookshop.org page at bookshop.org/shop/UNFTRpod to find the full UNFTR book list, and find book recommendations from our Unf*ckers at bookshop.org/lists/unf-cker-book-recommendations . Access the UNFTR Musicless feed by following the instructions at unftr.com/accessibility . Unf*cking the Republic® is produced by 99 and engineered by Manny Faces Media ( mannyfacesmedia.com ). Original music is by Tom McGovern ( tommcgovern.com ) and Hold Fast ( holdfastband.com ). The show is written and hosted by Max and distributed by 99. Podcast art description: Image of the US Constitution ripped in the middle revealing white text on a blue background that says, "Unf*cking the Republic®." Support the show: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/unftr See omnystudio.c
Sat, February 03, 2024
Don’t sweat the election. We already lost: A progressive meditation on the 2024 election.
Some of you are upset that I’ve targeted Biden so much lately given the threat of another Trump term. We’ve hashed and rehashed this on Show Notes but I did a little soul searching on my own to address this situation. We’re off to a strong start this year in terms of our editorial calendar but I’ve been finding it difficult to dig further into several topics knowing that there’s a growing sense of frustration with my intransigence. So I thought this was as good a time as any to work through this subject and have it out. Chapters Intro: 00:01:07 Post Show Musings: 00:32:17 Outro: 00:44:30 This Episode Online Essay All Resources Resources The Hill: Democratic concerns grow amid RFK Jr. ballot push in battleground states Vice: Extremists Call for ‘Civil War’ and ‘Secession’ Over Texas Border Ruling Letterboxd: Civil War MSNBC: Convicted Trump aide Bannon takes ‘deep state’ crusade to Supreme Court TIME: Donald Trump Picks Andrew Jackson Portrait for Oval Office The Jersualem Post: Pro-Palestine protesters chant 'Genocide Joe' at every Biden campaign event - report ABC News: Bernie Sanders endorses Joe Biden KFF: Key Facts about the Uninsured Population U.S. Department of Labor: Final Rule: Increasing the Minimum Wage for Federal Contractors (Executive Order 14026) Truthout: Biden Can Still Cancel Student Debt — Not Just Up to $20,000, But All of It Global Project Against Hate and Extremism: Robert F. Kennedy Tweet Mobilizes Neo-Nazis CBS News: Robert F. Kennedy Jr. condemned over false claims that COVID-19 was "ethnically targeted" Secular Talk: <a href="https://www.youtube.com/w
Tue, January 30, 2024
Show Notes [Mental Health Care in America.]
Max and 99 take some time to read feedback from the mental health episode. Unf*ckers were very gracious with their submissions and openness. Thank you all! Chapters Intro: 00:00:20 Emails: 00:10:21 Social Shout Outs: 01:07:46 Memberships + Donations: 01:13:21 Reviews: 01:15:18 Outro: 01:16:33 This Episode Online Show Notes Essay Resources Video Resources Snopes: Is PETA Stealing and Killing Pets? Green Eco Friend: Why Do So Many People Hate PETA? Un*cker Recommendations SecularTherapy.org HoosLeft -- If you like the pod version of #UNFTR, make sure to check out the video version on YouTube where Max shows his beautiful face! www.youtube.com/@UNFTR Please leave us a rating and review on Apple Podcasts: unftr.com/rate and follow us on Facebook , Twitter and Instagram at @UNFTRpod. Visit us online at unftr.com . Join the Unf*cker-run Facebook group: facebook.com/groups/2051537518349565 Buy yourself some Unf*cking Coffee® at shop.unftr.com . Subscribe to Unf*cking The Republic® at unftr.com/blog to get the essays these episode are framed around sent to your inbox every week. Check out the UNFTR Pod Love playlist on Spotify: spoti.fi/3yzIlUP. Visit our bookshop.org page at bookshop.org/shop/UNFTRpod to find the full UNFTR book list, and find book recommendations from our Unf*ckers at bookshop.org/lists/unf-cker-book-recommendations . Access the UNFTR Musicless feed by following the instructions at unftr.com/accessibility . Unf*cking the Republic® is produced by 99 and engineered by Manny Faces Media ( mannyfacesmedia.co
Sat, January 27, 2024
Revenge of the “Strongman.” Lessons from around the globe.
Back-to-back wins in Iowa and New Hampshire have the nation bracing for a rematch between Trump and Biden. This episode explores how other nations are dealing with the ‘strongman’ wannabe dictator phenomenon. Maybe there are lessons to glean from the experiences of other countries. So in that spirit we’re going to do some globetrotting to look at three countries in two states of authoritarianism at present and one in recovery like the U.S. Chapters Sketch: 00:00:00 Intro: 00:04:33 Subject One: Brazil: 00:07:37 Subject Two: China: 00:16:37 Subject Three: India: 00:22:35 This Episode Online Essay Resources Video Resources Agência Brasil: Brazil jumps two places, becomes world’s ninth largest economy in 2023 International Valor: Brazil’s GDP growth to halve in 2024 without economic stimulus Diálogo Chino: Lula’s first year sees mixed results on climate and environment World Socialist Web Site: International financial markets hail first year of Brazil’s Lula government Reuters: Lula's approval ratings inch up ahead of Brazil's local elections -poll Reuters: Brazil's Lula to leave with record-high popularity Independent: Watch Antony Blinken's reaction as Joe Biden calls Xi Jinping 'dictator' Business Insider: China's economy is trapped in a downward spiral that authoritarian regimes are doomed to repeat The Guardian: Xi Jinping handed unprecedented third term as China’s president Jeffrey D. Sachs: The US economic war on China Financial Times: <a href="https://www.ft.com/content/f2e8f0d6-db17-42af-886f-901f
Sat, January 20, 2024
Mental Health Care in America: Capitalism’s Invisible Blight on the American Mind.
This week’s episode examines the connection between capitalism and declining mental health in the United States. From the pressure the system places on workers to its ruthless manner of discarding those who suffer from mental illness, capitalism has become a central figure in the mental health narrative in frightening ways. This Episode Online Essay Resources Video Resources National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH): Mental Illness National Library of Medicine: António Egas Moniz (1874–1955): Lobotomy pioneer and Nobel laureate TIME: America Has No Way to Take Care of Mentally Ill People Salon: Ronald Reagan's shameful legacy: Violence, the homeless, mental illness Psychiatry.org: About DSM-5-TR WHO: COVID-19 pandemic triggers 25% increase in prevalence of anxiety and depression worldwide New York Times: New York City to Involuntarily Remove Mentally Ill People From Streets Medical News Today: 'Weathering': The health effects of stress and discrimination Mad in America Book Love Kay Redfield Jamison: An Unquiet Mind: A Memoir of Moods and Madness Micha Frazer-Carroll: Mad World: The Politics of Mental Health Kenneth Paul Rosenberg, MD: Bedlam: An Intimate Journey into America’s Mental Health Crisis -- If you like the pod version of #UNFTR, make sure to check out the video version on YouTube where Max shows his beautiful face! www.youtube.com/@UNFTR Please leave us a rating and review on Apple Podcasts: unftr.com/rate and follow us on Facebook , <a href="
Fri, January 19, 2024
Show Notes [2024: Welcome to Another Year in Bizarro America.]
In today's Show Notes Max and 99 catch up and discuss the most recent two episodes. Enjoy! Resources UNFTR Memberships UNFTR Resource Directory NPR: The pope wants surrogacy banned. Here's why one advocate says that's misguided Unf*cker Recommendations David Fleming: Lean Logic: A Dictionary for the Future and How to Survive It -- If you like the pod version of #UNFTR, make sure to check out the video version on YouTube where Max shows his beautiful face! www.youtube.com/@UNFTR Please leave us a rating and review on Apple Podcasts: unftr.com/rate and follow us on Facebook , Twitter and Instagram at @UNFTRpod. Visit us online at unftr.com . Join the Unf*cker-run Facebook group: facebook.com/groups/2051537518349565 Buy yourself some Unf*cking Coffee® at shop.unftr.com . Subscribe to Unf*cking The Republic® at unftr.com/blog to get the essays these episode are framed around sent to your inbox every week. Check out the UNFTR Pod Love playlist on Spotify: spoti.fi/3yzIlUP. Visit our bookshop.org page at bookshop.org/shop/UNFTRpod to find the full UNFTR book list, and find book recommendations from our Unf*ckers at bookshop.org/lists/unf-cker-book-recommendations . Access the UNFTR Musicless feed by following the instructions at unftr.com/accessibility . Unf*cking the Republic® is produced by 99 and engineered by Manny Faces Media ( mannyfacesmedia.com ). Original music is by Tom McGovern ( tommcgovern.com ) and Hold Fast ( holdfastband.com ). The show is written and hosted by Max and distributed by 99. Podcast art description: Image of the US Constitution ripped in the middle revealing white text on a blue background that says, "Unf*cking the Republic®." Support the show: https://www.buymeacoffe
Sat, January 13, 2024
Phone A Friend: Reverend Roger C. Williams.
In response to a number of listeners suggesting that Max be less dismissive of religion and pay attention to the UNFTR creed of meeting people where they are, Max invited his friend Reverend Roger Williams on the show. The wide ranging discussion covers fundamentalist interpretations of the Bible, the struggle Black Americans have aligning with political parties, and how the next generation of voters will shape the country moving forward. This Episode Online Transcript (Coming Soon) Show Notes Resources First Baptist Church GC Facebook First Baptist Church GC YouTube UNFTR Episode Resources The Black & Jewish Divide in America. -- If you like the pod version of #UNFTR, make sure to check out the video version on YouTube where Max shows his beautiful face! www.youtube.com/@UNFTR Please leave us a rating and review on Apple Podcasts: unftr.com/rate and follow us on Facebook , Twitter and Instagram at @UNFTRpod. Visit us online at unftr.com . Join the Unf*cker-run Facebook group: facebook.com/groups/2051537518349565 Buy yourself some Unf*cking Coffee® at shop.unftr.com . Subscribe to Unf*cking The Republic® at unftr.com/blog to get the essays these episode are framed around sent to your inbox every week. Check out the UNFTR Pod Love playlist on Spotify: spoti.fi/3yzIlUP. Visit our bookshop.org page at bookshop.org/shop/UNFTRpod to find the full UNFTR book list, and find book recommendations from our Unf*ckers at bookshop.org/lists/unf-cker-book-recommendations . Access the UNFTR Musicless feed by following the instructions at unftr.com/accessibility . Unf*cking the Republic® is produced by 99 and engineered by Manny Faces Media ( mannyfacesmedia.com ). Original music is by Tom McGovern ( tommcgovern.com ) and Hold Fast ( holdfastband.com ). The show is written
Sat, January 06, 2024
2024: Welcome to Another Year in Bizarro America. Max Unfiltered.
Max shakes off the cobwebs to take stock of where the country is as we head into 2024. In this “Max Unfiltered” take to start the year he examines the tension between the past and present. Has the arc of history bent toward progress? Sure. But it's maddening to know that there is still so much unnecessary suffering in the world when the U.S. has the capacity to solve so much of it both at home and abroad. Chapters Intro: 00:01:27 Post Show Musings: 00:24:08 Outro: 00:37:15 This Episode Online Essay Show Notes Video Resources New York Times: Claudine Gay: What Just Happened at Harvard Is Bigger Than Me CBS News: After exit of Claudine Gay, Bill Ackman paints bull's-eye on diversity programs The New Yorker: How a Conservative Activist Invented the Conflict Over Critical Race Theory Lee Fang: The Secret Dossier Behind Claudine Gay’s Downfall Marc Lamont Hill YouTube USA Today: The number of homeless people in America grew in 2023 as high cost of living took a toll CBS News: Stocks close out 2023 with a 24% gain, buoyed by a resilient economy CBS News: 2023 is officially the hottest year ever recorded, and scientists say "the temperature will keep rising" Washington Post: Visualizing the size of Gaza City compared with U.S. cities Times of Israel: Israel in talks with Congo and other countries on Gaza ‘voluntary migration’ plan Human Rights Watch: Human Rights and Humanitarian Organizations Urge United Nations to Mobilize to Address Crisis in Sudan Human Rights Watch: <a href="http
Sat, December 23, 2023
Show Notes [The Carter Years One–Three.]
In this episode, the team winds down 2023 with a very special edition of Show Notes. Max and 99 experience peak silliness as they discuss the new UNFTR website, headlines, and hear from a special guest. Happy holidays Unf*ckers! Chapters Intro: 00:00:20 Hold Fast Theme: 00:11:39 Headlines: 00:26:41 Emails: 00:37:03 Social Shout Outs: 01:23:01 YouTube Shout Outs: 01:28:41 Buy Me A Coffee Memberships + Donations: 01:30:20 Special Guest: 01:31:48 Headlines The Guardian: US child poverty doubled in 2022, thanks to Joe Manchin. We must reverse course AP: Donald Trump banned from Colorado ballot in a historic ruling by the state’s Supreme Court The New Yorker: What Would It Mean To Treat Animals Fairly? WSWS: Record high for debt repayments by low-income nations Resources Hold Fast Online: Hold Fast Instagram Hold Fast YouTube Hold Fast Spotify Hold Fast Facebook SNL: Dylan McDermott or Dermot Mulroney SNL: New Cast Member or Arcade Fire? Behind the Bastards: Part One Kissinger News Beat: Racist AI: Facial Recognition & Wrongful Arrests Will Watkins Art Unf*cker Recommendations Johnny Harris: Why the Swiss Love Their Guns (more than Americans) -- If you like the pod version of #UNFTR, make sure to check out the video version on YouTube where Max shows his beautiful face! www.youtube.com/@UNFTR Please leave us a rating and review on Apple Podcasts: unftr.com/rate and follow us on Facebook , Twitter and <a h
Sat, December 16, 2023
The Carter Years: Part One, Two, Three + Epilogue.
Our series on The Carter Years looks back at the brief but remarkable tenure of President Jimmy Carter. In Part One we cover Carter's rise to the Presidency. Part Two peers into the first half of the White House years to understand the challenges that faced the new administration. In Part Three, trouble brews from within the Democratic ranks, and the global economy plus several bad actors abroad coalesce seemingly overnight to challenge the president. And lastly, the final installment of the series examines the events of 1980 and offers some final reflections on Jimmy Carter the man, and his legacy. Chapters Intro: 00:02:04 Chapter One: 00:08:18 Chapter Two: 00:14:29 Chapter Three: 00:23:07 Chapter Four: 00:31:59 Chapter Five: 00:46:56 Chapter Six: 00:56:31 Chapter Seven: 01:10:44 Chapter Eight: 01:18:52 Chapter Nine: 01:36:52 Resources Office of the Historian, Foreign Service Institute: The Panama Canal and the Torrijos-Carter Treaties The New York Times: Jimmy Carter’s Unheralded Legacy The Atlantic: The Passionless Presidency Vox: The Republican myth of Ronald Reagan and the Iran hostages, debunked Politico: The Humiliating Handshake and the Near-Fistfight that Broke the Democratic Party Brookings: Today’s global economy is eerily similar to the 1970s, but governments can still escape a stagflation episode HISTORY: Jimmy Carter and Leonid Brezhnev sign the SALT-II nuclear treaty Book Love Kai Bird: The Outlier: The Unfinished Presidency of Jimmy Carter David Rockefeller: Memoirs -- If you like the pod version of #UNFTR, make sure to check out the video version on YouTube where Max shows his beautiful face! www.youtube.com/@UNFTR Please leave us a rating and review on Apple Podcasts: unft
Sat, December 09, 2023
The Montreal Protocol: When we listened to science.
There was a time when we listened to scientists. Believe it or not, it actually happened in the 1980s. Under Ronald Reagan. (Don’t get me wrong, he’s still a quasi-villain in this story.) When set against the backdrop of Cop28 being run by an oil and gas executive, that time we banned a whole bunch of products and chemicals in the 80s will make you wistful. When scientists discovered a hole in the ozone layer, the world came together to pass the Montreal Protocol and then something even more miraculous occurred: it worked. In 2017 scientists noticed that the hole had started to repair itself and was shrinking. Here’s the story of how it all came together. Resources The Guardian: Cop28 president says there is ‘no science’ behind demands for phase-out of fossil fuels European Central Bank: A new age of energy inflation: climateflation, fossilflation and greenflation National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Time: Reagan Administration Officials at First Dismissed the Ozone Hole. Here's What Changed UNIDO: HCFC Phase Out Los Angeles Times: Op-Ed: Reagan made a massive environmental mistake. Trump is repeating it, only worse NOAA: 4 facts you might not know about ozone and the Montreal Protocol Goldman Sachs Publishing: Lithium: The short trade must go on -- If you like the pod version of #UNFTR, make sure to check out the video version on YouTube where Max shows his beautiful face! www.youtube.com/@UNFTR Please leave us a rating and review on Apple Podcasts: unftr.com/rate and follow us on Facebook , Twitter and Instagram at @UNFTRpod. Visit us online at unftr.com . Join the Unf*cker-run Facebook group: facebook.com/groups/2051537518349565 Buy yourself some Unf*cking Coffee®
Fri, December 08, 2023
Show Notes [Quickie 15: The 3 Men Who Will Defeat Biden.]
In today’s Show Notes Max and 99 review the schedule for the rest of December and trade some stories on the heels of the (thankfully) lighter Quickie episode. Enjoy! Listen to the corresponding episode. Chapters Intro: 00:00:20 Headlines: 00:03:41 Emails: 00:30:30 Facebook Shout Outs: 01:25:20 YouTube Shout Outs: 01:26:55 Buy Me A Coffee Memberships + Donations: 01:28:27 Outro: 01:28:43 Headlines The Guardian: White House warns it is ‘out of money and nearly out of time’ to aid Ukraine NPR: Senator hires an indicted and ousted representative to troll an indicted senator The Guardian: Cop28 president says there is ‘no science’ behind demands for phase-out of fossil fuels Resources Outrage + Optimism Podcast Holiday Merch Unf*cker Recommendations Cathy O'Neil: Weapons of Math Destruction: How Big Data Increases Inequality and Threatens Democracy -- If you like the pod version of #UNFTR, make sure to check out the video version on YouTube where Max shows his beautiful face! www.youtube.com/@UNFTR Please leave us a rating and review on Apple Podcasts: unftr.com/rate and follow us on Facebook , Twitter and Instagram at @UNFTRpod. Visit us online at unftr.com . Join the Unf*cker-run Facebook group: facebook.com/groups/2051537518349565 Buy yourself some Unf*cking Coffee® at shop.unftr.com . Subscribe to Unf*cking The Republic® at unftr.com/blog to get the essays these episode are framed around sent to your inbox every week. Check out the UNFTR Pod Love playlist on Spotify: spoti.fi/3yzIlUP. Visit our bookshop.org page at bookshop.org/shop/UNFTRpod to find the full UNFTR book list, and find book re
Sat, December 02, 2023
The 3 Men Who Will Defeat Biden: A UNFTR Quickie.
Today’s Quickie predicts the three men who will combine to beat Joe Biden next November. Can you guess any one of them? Chapters Intro: 00:00:12 Subject One: 00:01:12 Subject Two: 00:06:35 Subject Three: 00:11:30 Outro: 00:17:51 Sketch: 00:19:54 Post Show Musings: 00:22:26 Resources The Guardian: ‘Steve Bannon is watching us closely’: Naomi Klein on populists, conspiracists and real-world activism Esquire: In the War Room with Steve Bannon The Conference Board: Economic Forecast for the US Economy PBS: U.S. may need slower economic growth to beat inflation, Fed chair says The Hill: Democrats nearly double Republicans in October fundraising Politico: The generational divide over Israel and Palestine is widening The Nation: Biden’s Quagmire: Israel, Gaza, and Those Really Scary Polls Book Love Jeanna Smialek: Limitless: The Federal Reserve Takes on a New Age of Crisis -- If you like the pod version of #UNFTR, make sure to check out the video version on YouTube where Max shows his beautiful face! www.youtube.com/@UNFTR Please leave us a rating and review on Apple Podcasts: unftr.com/rate and follow us on Facebook , Twitter and Instagram at @UNFTRpod. Visit us online at unftr.com . Join the Unf*cker-run Facebook group: facebook.com/groups/2051537518349565 Buy yourself some Unf*cking Coffee® at shop.unftr.com . Subscribe to Unf*cking The Republic® at unftr.com/blog to get the essays these episode are framed around sent to your inbox every week. Check out the UNFTR Pod Love playlist on Spotify: <a href="https
Fri, December 01, 2023
Show Notes [Palestine: Part Three + Epilogue, and Phone A Friend: Rashid Khalidi.]
This week's Show Notes has Max and 99 catching up on the last three episodes; they cover more Palestine series feedback from the Unf*ckers, and announced some exciting holiday merch! Resources Holiday Merch Shop Coffee UNFTR Bookshop.org Shop UNFTR Episode Resources Palestine: An Introduction. The Land Imperialism Left Behind. Palestine: Part One. The Jewish Question. Palestine: Part Two. The Palestinian Cause. Palestine: Part Three. Two states, one state, none. Phone A Friend: Rashid Khalidi, author of The Hundred Years’ War on Palestine. Palestine: Epilogue. “Never Forget.” -- If you like the pod version of #UNFTR, make sure to check out the video version on YouTube where Max shows his beautiful face! www.youtube.com/@UNFTR Please leave us a rating and review on Apple Podcasts: unftr.com/rate and follow us on Facebook , Twitter and Instagram at @UNFTRpod. Visit us online at unftr.com . Join the Unf*cker-run Facebook group: facebook.com/groups/2051537518349565 Buy yourself some Unf*cking Coffee® at shop.unftr.com . Subscribe to Unf*cking The Republic® at unftr.com/blog to get the essays these episode are framed around sent to your inbox every week. Check out the UNFTR Pod Love playlist on Spotify: spoti.fi/3yzIlUP. Visit our bookshop.org page at bookshop.org/shop/UNFTRpod to find the full UNFTR book list, and find book recommendations from our Unf*ckers at bookshop.org/lists/unf-cker-book-recommendations . Access the UNFTR Musicless feed by following the instructions at unftr.com/accessibility . Unf*cking the Republic® is produced by 99 and engineered by Manny Faces Media ( manny
Fri, November 24, 2023
Palestine: Epilogue. “Never Forget.”
The epilogue to the Palestine series is an essay from Max that draws upon personal experience and reveals what he learned from putting together these episodes. The conclusions are far from uplifting. In fact, they’re dire. Resources Marxists.org: Leon Trotsky on Zionism Council on Foreign Relations: What to Know About the Arab Citizens of Israel PBS: Parallel Realities - Resolution 242 And The Aftermath Of 1967 | Shattered Dreams Of Peace Wikipedia: Six-Day War Opinio Juris: The Biden Administration and the Golan Heights Al Jazeera: Mapping Israeli occupation | Infographic News Jewish Virtual Library: Vital Statistics: Jewish Population of the World Christopher Hitchens on Antisemitism BBC News: Golan Heights profile The Baffler: Unmaking the Myth of Ben-Gurion My Jewish Learning: Sephardic, Ashkenazic, Mizrahi and Ethiopian Jews JCPA: Ben-Gurion’s Concept of Mamlahtiut and the Forming Reality of the State of Israel Council on Foreign Relations: The Sunni-Shia Divide Council on Foreign Relations: What Is U.S. Policy on the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict? Council on Foreign Relations: How Evictions in Jerusalem Led to Israeli-Palestinian Violence NPR: This is how the Republican Party became so strongly pro-Israel The Jewish Agency: Modern Zionist Aliyot The Weiner Holocaust Library: How did the
Wed, November 22, 2023
Phone A Friend: Rashid Khalidi, author of The Hundred Years’ War on Palestine.
Rashid Khalidi is the Edward Said Professor of Modern Arab Studies at Columbia University. Professor Khalidi received his BA from Yale in 1970, and Doctor of Philosophy from Oxford in 1974. He's co-editor of the Journal of Palestine Studies and was president of the Middle East Studies Association, and an advisor to the Palestinian delegation to the Madrid and Washington Arab-Israeli Peace negotiations from October, 1991 until June of 1993. He's the author of eight books, including most recently, The Hundred Years’ War on Palestine. His research inspired a significant amount of the work in our series on Palestine, and it's a privilege to welcome him today. Watch the video interview. Resources Journal of Palestine Studies Rashid Khalidi: The Hundred Years’ War on Palestine: A History of Settler Colonialism and Resistance, 1917-2017 Rashid Khalidi Online Rashid’s Recommendations Salim Tamari: The Storyteller of Jerusalem: The Life and Times of Wasif Jawhariyyeh, 1904-1948 Tareq Baconi: Hamas Contained: The Rise and Pacification of Palestinian Resistance Sara Roy: Hamas and Civil Society in Gaza: Engaging the Islamist Social Sector Jean-Pierre Filiu: Gaza: A History -- If you like the pod version of #UNFTR, make sure to check out the video version on YouTube where Max shows his beautiful face! www.youtube.com/@UNFTR Please leave us a rating and review on Apple Podcasts: unftr.com/rate and follow us on Facebook , Twitter and Instagram at @UNFTRpod. Visit us online at unftr.com . Join the Unf*cker-run Facebook group: facebook.com/groups/2051537518349565 Buy yourself some Unf*cking Coffee® at shop.unftr.com . Subscribe to Unf*cking The Republic® at unftr.com/blog to get the essays these episode are framed around sent to your inbox every week. Check out the UNFTR Pod Love playlist on Spotify: spoti.fi/3yzIlUP. Visit our bookshop.org pa
Sat, November 18, 2023
Palestine: Part Three. Two states, one state, none.
The final installment of our series on Israel/Palestine covers the Arab Revolts of the late 1930s through present day, highlighting the agreements, wars, uprisings and accords that explain how the chasm widened between Jews and Palestinians, and why every attempt at reconciling the two sides has failed. It’s a sweeping narrative that involves generational actors, imperial interests of neighboring countries and acts of violence, bravery and betrayal. Chapters Intro: 00:00:23 Chapter One: On the Precipice. 00:05:21 Chapter Two: No Turning Back. 00:15:31 Chapter Three: Six Days in June, Nineteen in October. 00:26:00 Chapter Four: The Politics of War. 00:30:00 Resources Marxists.org: Leon Trotsky on Zionism Council on Foreign Relations: What to Know About the Arab Citizens of Israel PBS: Parallel Realities - Resolution 242 And The Aftermath Of 1967 | Shattered Dreams Of Peace Wikipedia: Six-Day War Opinio Juris: The Biden Administration and the Golan Heights Al Jazeera: Mapping Israeli occupation | Infographic News Jewish Virtual Library: Vital Statistics: Jewish Population of the World Christopher Hitchens on Antisemitism BBC News: Golan Heights profile The Baffler: Unmaking the Myth of Ben-Gurion My Jewish Learning: Sephardic, Ashkenazic, Mizrahi and Ethiopian Jews JCPA: Ben-Gurion’s Concept of Mamlahtiut and the Forming Reality of the State of Israel Council on Foreign Relations: The Sunni-Shia Divide Council on Foreign Relations: What Is U.S. Policy on the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict? Council on Foreign Relations: How Evictions in Jerusalem Led to Isra
Thu, November 16, 2023
Show Notes [Palestine: Part Two.]
Today's Show Notes features more Palestine Series feedback, some punch ins from Manny Faces, and a smattering of Max and 99 tangents. Enjoy! Chapters Intro: 00:00:20 Headlines: 00:17:00 Emails: 00:31:02 Instagram Shout Outs: 01:06:50 Buy Me A Coffee Memberships + Donations: 01:08:37 Outro: 01:09:56 Resources Fall Fund-Friend-Hell-Raiser: Leave us a review . It really helps people find the podcast! Subscribe to the YouTube channel and share the videos when they’re released. Consider taking out a membership to the show. If you drink coffee… Drink our coffee ! Purchase books from our bookshop.org store. New York Times: No, Immigrants Aren’t ‘Poisoning the Blood of Our Country’ Unf*cker Recommendations michael__mezz on Instagram: 'ecological economics' UNFTR Episode Resources Palestine: An Introduction. The Land Imperialism Left Behind. Palestine: Part One. The Jewish Question. Palestine: Part Two. The Palestinian Cause. -- If you like the pod version of #UNFTR, make sure to check out the video version on YouTube where Max shows his beautiful face! www.youtube.com/@UNFTR Please leave us a rating and review on Apple Podcasts: unftr.com/rate and follow us on Facebook , Twitter and Instagram at @UNFTRpod. Visit us online at unftr.com . Join the Unf*cker-run Facebook group: facebook.com/groups/2051537518349565 Buy yourself some Unf*cking Coffee® at shop.unftr.com . Subscribe to Unf*cking The Republic® at unftr.com/blog to get the essays these episode are framed around sent to your inbox every week. Check out the UNFTR Pod Love playlist on Spotify: spoti.fi/3
Sat, November 11, 2023
Palestine: Part Two. The Palestinian Cause.
Part Two of our series on Israel/Palestine turns back the clock to examine the time period from Part One but from the Palestinian perspective. By establishing the foundation of the conflict in parallel, it helps organize internal and external events that explain sympathies toward Jews and Palestinians alike. This episode digs into the cultural underpinnings of Arab society in the 19th and early 20th centuries and examines the fault lines that occur as a result of Jewish migration, industrialization, the collapse of Ottoman rule and fallout from World War One. Chapters Intro: 00:00:36 Chapter One: Origin Stories. 00:07:36 Chapter Two: Historic Palestine. 00:16:17 Chapter Three: Pan-Arab Nationalism. 00:24:25 Chapter Four: The Palestinian Identity. 00:36:01 Resources Marxists.org: Leon Trotsky on Zionism Council on Foreign Relations: What to Know About the Arab Citizens of Israel PBS: Parallel Realities - Resolution 242 And The Aftermath Of 1967 | Shattered Dreams Of Peace Wikipedia: Six-Day War Opinio Juris: The Biden Administration and the Golan Heights Al Jazeera: Mapping Israeli occupation | Infographic News Jewish Virtual Library: Vital Statistics: Jewish Population of the World Christopher Hitchens on Antisemitism BBC News: Golan Heights profile The Baffler: Unmaking the Myth of Ben-Gurion My Jewish Learning: Sephardic, Ashkenazic, Mizrahi and Ethiopian Jews JCPA: Ben-Gurion’s Concept of Mamlahtiut and the Forming Reality of the State of Israel Council on Foreign Relations: The Sunni-Shia Divide Council on Foreign Relations: What Is U.S. Policy on the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict? Council on Foreign Relations: <a href="https://www.cfr.org/in-b
Fri, November 10, 2023
Show Notes [Palestine: Part One.]
Today’s Show Notes covers all the feedback Max and 99 received from the Palestine: Part One episode. Give it a listen, Unf*ckers! Chapters Intro: 00:00:20 Headlines: 00:05:18 Emails: 00:26:13 YouTube Shout Outs: 01:11:53 Reviews: 01:22:16 Buy Me A Coffee Memberships + Donations: 01:22:35 Outro: 01:23:07 UNFTR Episode Resources Palestine: An Introduction. The Land Imperialism Left Behind. Palestine: Part One. The Jewish Question. -- If you like the pod version of #UNFTR, make sure to check out the video version on YouTube where Max shows his beautiful face! www.youtube.com/@UNFTR Please leave us a rating and review on Apple Podcasts: unftr.com/rate and follow us on Facebook , Twitter and Instagram at @UNFTRpod. Visit us online at unftr.com . Join the Unf*cker-run Facebook group: facebook.com/groups/2051537518349565 Buy yourself some Unf*cking Coffee® at shop.unftr.com . Subscribe to Unf*cking The Republic® at unftr.com/blog to get the essays these episode are framed around sent to your inbox every week. Check out the UNFTR Pod Love playlist on Spotify: spoti.fi/3yzIlUP. Visit our bookshop.org page at bookshop.org/shop/UNFTRpod to find the full UNFTR book list, and find book recommendations from our Unf*ckers at bookshop.org/lists/unf-cker-book-recommendations . Access the UNFTR Musicless feed by following the instructions at unftr.com/accessibility . Unf*cking the Republic® is produced by 99 and engineered by Manny Faces Media ( mannyfacesmedia.com ). Original music is by Tom McGovern ( tommcgovern.com ). The show is written and hosted by Max and distributed by 99. Podcast art description: Image of the US Constitution ripped in the middle revealing white text on a blue background that says, "Unf*cking the Republic®." Support the show: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/unftr See <a href="https://omnystudio.com/listener"
Sat, November 04, 2023
Palestine: Part One. The Jewish Question.
Every story has a beginning. Every conflict has its roots. For some, the Israel/Palestine conflict is rooted in scripture and written in blood. Others claim it boils down to a deadly dispute over real estate. There’s a reason why “peace in the Middle East” feels out of reach and why so many have thrown their hands up. It’s complicated. But it’s not impossible to understand. We begin our journey in earnest by tackling the so-called “Jewish Question” and uncovering the roots and motives of the Zionist movement. Chapters Intro: 00:02:16 Chapter One: Diaspora. 00:04:48 Chapter Two: Beyond the Pale. 00:09:33 Chapter Three: France, the birthplace of Zionism. 00:13:52 Chapter Four: A congress in search of a state. 00:22:48 Chapter Five: The Fifth Aliyah. 00:39:16 Resources Marxists.org: Leon Trotsky on Zionism Council on Foreign Relations: What to Know About the Arab Citizens of Israel PBS: Parallel Realities - Resolution 242 And The Aftermath Of 1967 | Shattered Dreams Of Peace Wikipedia: Six-Day War Opinio Juris: The Biden Administration and the Golan Heights Al Jazeera: Mapping Israeli occupation | Infographic News Jewish Virtual Library: Vital Statistics: Jewish Population of the World Christopher Hitchens on Antisemitism BBC News: Golan Heights profile The Baffler: Unmaking the Myth of Ben-Gurion My Jewish Learning: Sephardic, Ashkenazic, Mizrahi and Ethiopian Jews JCPA: Ben-Gurion’s Concept of Mamlahtiut and the Forming Reality of the State of Israel Council on Foreign Relations: The Sunni-Shia Divide Council on Foreign Relations: What Is U.S. Policy on the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict? Council on Foreign Relations: <a href="https://www.cfr.
Tue, October 31, 2023
Show Notes [Palestine.]
Max and 99 catch up in today's Show Notes, discussing Palestine intro feedback, why Boomers love their generation, and the canon of UNFTR songs. Enjoy! Chapters Intro: 00:00:20 Headlines: 00:23 Emails: 00:39:37 Facebook Shout Outs: 00:59:53 Instagram Shout Outs: 01:08:54 YouTube Shout Outs: 01:12:08 Buy Me A Coffee Memberships + Donations: 01:32:31 Reviews: 01:33:29 Outro: 01:34:52 Headlines The Intercept: Israel Warns Palestinians on Facebook — But Bombings Decimated Gaza Internet Access The Heritage Foundation: Conservatives Can’t Sleep on the Fight for State Supreme Courts Resources Fall Fund-Friend-Hell-Raiser: Leave us a review . It really helps people find the podcast! Subscribe to the YouTube channel and share the videos when they’re released. Consider taking out a membership to the show. If you drink coffee… Drink our coffee ! Purchase books from our bookshop.org store. Unf*cker Recommendations Ed Zitron's Where's Your Ed At: Everything Looks Like A Nail -- If you like the pod version of #UNFTR, make sure to check out the video version on YouTube where Max shows his beautiful face! www.youtube.com/@UNFTR Please leave us a rating and review on Apple Podcasts: unftr.com/rate and follow us on Facebook , Twitter and Instagram at @UNFTRpod. Visit us online at unftr.com . Join the Unf*cker-run Facebook group: facebook.com/groups/2051537518349565 Buy yourself some Unf*cking Coffee® at shop.unftr.com . Subscribe to Unf*cking The Republic® at unftr.com/blog to get the essays these episode are framed around sent to your inbox every week. Check out the UNFTR Pod Love playlist on Spotify: spoti.fi/3yzIlUP. Visit our bookshop.org page at bookshop.org/sho
Sat, October 28, 2023
Phone A Friend: Manny Faces of Hip-Hop Can Save America!
You've heard him on the pod. You know the magic of his sound design. But do you really know "Manny Faces?" Long-time, award winning Hip-Hop journalist and activist Manny Faces joins Max in studio to talk about Hip-Hop culture and its underreported influence on education, the criminal justice system and activism. If you listen/watch you’ll also be introduced to the coining of the phrase, “pimping off the Old Testament.” (Patent pending.) Resources Manny Faces Online Hip-Hop Can Save America! Manny Faces on Substack Manny Faces on Instagram , Facebook , YouTube and Twittter Manny Faces Patreon News Beat Podcast The Center for Hip-Hop Advocacy The Far Right Infiltration of Hip-Hop -- If you like the pod version of #UNFTR, make sure to check out the video version on YouTube where Max shows his beautiful face! www.youtube.com/@UNFTR Please leave us a rating and review on Apple Podcasts: unftr.com/rate and follow us on Facebook , Twitter and Instagram at @UNFTRpod. Visit us online at unftr.com . Join the Unf*cker-run Facebook group: facebook.com/groups/2051537518349565 Buy yourself some Unf*cking Coffee® at shop.unftr.com . Subscribe to Unf*cking The Republic® at unftr.com/blog to get the essays these episode are framed around sent to your inbox every week. Check out the UNFTR Pod Love playlist on Spotify: spoti.fi/3yzIlUP. Visit our bookshop.org page at bookshop.org/shop/UNFTRpod to find the full UNFTR book list, and find book recommendations from our Unf*ckers at bookshop.org/lists/unf-cker-book-recommendations . Access the UNFTR Musicless feed by following the instructions at <a href="https://www.unftr.com/a
Sat, October 21, 2023
Palestine: An Introduction. The Land Imperialism Left Behind.
Max finally takes aim at the Israel/Palestine conflict with an introduction that frames the approach for the mini-series and sets guardrails for what will undoubtedly be an emotional journey for many UNFTR listeners. This episode answers why we decided to tackle this issue and how we’re examining it through a socioeconomic lens and Marxist view of history. It also dismisses two foundational deceptions pertaining to the larger narrative surrounding the conflict. This introductory episode concludes with several “level-setting” statements and a challenge: “If you can hold these thoughts in your mind at once, we can proceed.” -- If you like the pod version of #UNFTR, make sure to check out the video version on YouTube where Max shows his beautiful face! www.youtube.com/@UNFTR Please leave us a rating and review on Apple Podcasts: unftr.com/rate and follow us on Facebook , Twitter and Instagram at @UNFTRpod. Visit us online at unftr.com . Join the Unf*cker-run Facebook group: facebook.com/groups/2051537518349565 Buy yourself some Unf*cking Coffee® at shop.unftr.com . Subscribe to Unf*cking The Republic® at unftr.com/blog to get the essays these episode are framed around sent to your inbox every week. Check out the UNFTR Pod Love playlist on Spotify: spoti.fi/3yzIlUP. Visit our bookshop.org page at bookshop.org/shop/UNFTRpod to find the full UNFTR book list, and find book recommendations from our Unf*ckers at bookshop.org/lists/unf-cker-book-recommendations . Access the UNFTR Musicless feed by following the instructions at unftr.com/accessibility . Unf*cking the Republic® is produced by 99 and engineered by Manny Faces Media ( mannyfacesmedia.com ). Original music is by Tom McGovern ( tommcgovern.com ). The show is written and hosted by Max and distributed by 99. Podcast art description: Image of the US Constitution ripped in the middle revealing white text on a blue background that says, "Unf*cking the Republic®." Support the show: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/unftr See omnystudio.com/listen
Fri, October 20, 2023
Show Notes [Phone A Friend: Nick Hanauer]
Max flies solo while 99 goes on a long distance mission from god. Left to his own devices, Max dips his pinky toe into the Palestinian conflict to set the table for our upcoming series and responds to listener feedback from the last couple of episodes. Seems like Pitchfork Nick was particularly well received so cheers to the Pitchfork Economics crew for playing in our sandbox. -- If you like the pod version of #UNFTR, make sure to check out the video version on YouTube where Max shows his beautiful face! www.youtube.com/@UNFTR Please leave us a rating and review on Apple Podcasts: unftr.com/rate and follow us on Facebook , Twitter and Instagram at @UNFTRpod. Visit us online at unftr.com . Join the Unf*cker-run Facebook group: facebook.com/groups/2051537518349565 Buy yourself some Unf*cking Coffee® at shop.unftr.com . Subscribe to Unf*cking The Republic® at unftr.com/blog to get the essays these episode are framed around sent to your inbox every week. Check out the UNFTR Pod Love playlist on Spotify: spoti.fi/3yzIlUP. Visit our bookshop.org page at bookshop.org/shop/UNFTRpod to find the full UNFTR book list, and find book recommendations from our Unf*ckers at bookshop.org/lists/unf-cker-book-recommendations . Access the UNFTR Musicless feed by following the instructions at unftr.com/accessibility . Unf*cking the Republic® is produced by 99 and engineered by Manny Faces Media ( mannyfacesmedia.com ). Original music is by Tom McGovern ( tommcgovern.com ). The show is written and hosted by Max and distributed by 99. Podcast art description: Image of the US Constitution ripped in the middle revealing white text on a blue background that says, "Unf*cking the Republic®." Support the show: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/unftr See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Sat, October 14, 2023
Phone A Friend: Nick Hanauer of Pitchfork Economics.
Max interviews Nick Hanauer, co-host of the Pitchfork Economics podcast and founder of Civic Ventures. They discuss Nick’s work at Civic Ventures to promote the $15 minimum wage among other initiatives and have a wide ranging discussion about the power of neoliberal messaging, Bidenomics and the struggle to break through the “pack of lies” we’ve been sold by corporations to maintain the status quo. Resources Corporate Bullsh*t: Exposing the Lies and Half-Truths That Protect Profit, Power, and Wealth in America The Gardens of Democracy: A New American Story of Citizenship, the Economy, and the Role of Government The True Patriot Pitchfork Economics Podcast Pitchfork Economics on Twitter Pitchfork Economics on Instagram NickHanauer.com Nick Hanauer on Twitter -- If you like the pod version of #UNFTR, make sure to check out the video version on YouTube where Max shows his beautiful face! www.youtube.com/@UNFTR Please leave us a rating and review on Apple Podcasts: unftr.com/rate and follow us on Facebook , Twitter and Instagram at @UNFTRpod. Visit us online at unftr.com . Join the Unf*cker-run Facebook group: facebook.com/groups/2051537518349565 Buy yourself some Unf*cking Coffee® at shop.unftr.com . Subscribe to Unf*cking The Republic® at unftr.com/blog to get the essays these episode are framed around sent to your inbox every week. Check out the UNFTR Pod Love playlist on Spotify: spoti.fi/3yzIlUP. Visit our bookshop.org page at bookshop.org/shop/UNFTRpod to find the full UNFTR book list, and find book recommendations from our Unf*ckers at bookshop.org/lists/unf-cker-book-recommendations . Access the UNFTR Musicless feed by following the instructions at u
Fri, October 13, 2023
Show Notes [The House that Newt Built.]
In this episode of Show Notes, Max and 99 lightly discuss Israel/Palestine in preparation for a future episode, continue with some Socialism feedback, and 99 makes an admission about shoelaces. Chapters Intro: 00:00:20 Headlines: 00:26:43 Emails: 00:34:22 Facebook Shout Outs: 01:09:54 YouTube Shout Outs: 01:11:38 Buy Me A Coffee Memberships + Donations: 01:13:12 Reviews: 01:15:02 Outro: 01:15:44 Headlines The New York Times: In Search of Kamala Harris Jacobin: Left Politicians Are Showing How to Respond to the Horrors in Israel and Palestine -- If you like the pod version of #UNFTR, make sure to check out the video version on YouTube where Max shows his beautiful face! www.youtube.com/@UNFTR Please leave us a rating and review on Apple Podcasts: unftr.com/rate and follow us on Facebook , Twitter and Instagram at @UNFTRpod. Visit us online at unftr.com . Join the Unf*cker-run Facebook group: facebook.com/groups/2051537518349565 Buy yourself some Unf*cking Coffee® at shop.unftr.com . Subscribe to Unf*cking The Republic® at unftr.com/blog to get the essays these episode are framed around sent to your inbox every week. Check out the UNFTR Pod Love playlist on Spotify: spoti.fi/3yzIlUP. Visit our bookshop.org page at bookshop.org/shop/UNFTRpod to find the full UNFTR book list, and find book recommendations from our Unf*ckers at bookshop.org/lists/unf-cker-book-recommendations . Access the UNFTR Musicless feed by following the instructions at unftr.com/accessibility . Unf*cking the Republic® is produced by 99 and engineered by Manny Faces Media ( mannyfacesmedia.com ). Original music is by Tom McGovern ( tommcgovern.com ). The show is written and hosted by Max and distributed by 99. Podcast art description: Image of the US Constitution ripped in the middle revealing white text on a blue background that says, "
Sat, October 07, 2023
The House that Newt Built: The Rise of Matt Gaetz.
Max struggles to understand exactly what Matt Gaetz is after, but has his suspicions. Regardless of the right-wing endgame, this week’s fiasco was made possible by Newt Gingrich in the 1990s. Gingrich’s run marked not only the end of civility, but the beginning of a GOP hostile to anything that impedes the complete destruction of the welfare state. We look at how this came to pass and who is the current architect of the GOP meltdown. (Hint: It’s not Matt Gaetz.) Resources The New Yorker: The Ringleader The Intercept: Rep. Josh Gottheimer Headlines No Labels Call While Eyeing Run For Higher Office UNFTR Episode Resources The Clinton Years (Parts One–Three) -- If you like the pod version of #UNFTR, make sure to check out the video version on YouTube where Max shows his beautiful face! www.youtube.com/@UNFTR Please leave us a rating and review on Apple Podcasts: unftr.com/rate and follow us on Facebook , Twitter and Instagram at @UNFTRpod. Visit us online at unftr.com . Join the Unf*cker-run Facebook group: facebook.com/groups/2051537518349565 Buy yourself some Unf*cking Coffee® at shop.unftr.com . Subscribe to Unf*cking The Republic® at unftr.com/blog to get the essays these episode are framed around sent to your inbox every week. Check out the UNFTR Pod Love playlist on Spotify: spoti.fi/3yzIlUP. Visit our bookshop.org page at bookshop.org/shop/UNFTRpod to find the full UNFTR book list, and find book recommendations from our Unf*ckers at bookshop.org/lists/unf-cker-book-recommendations . Access the UNFTR Musicless feed by following the instructions at unftr.com/accessibility . Unf*cking the Republic® is produced by 99 and engineered by Manny Faces Media ( mannyfacesmedia.com ). Original music is by Tom McGovern ( tommcgovern.com ). The show is written and hosted by Max and distributed by 99. Podcast art description: Image of the US C
Fri, October 06, 2023
Show Notes [Understanding Socialism: Part Six.]
Today's Show Notes is brought to you by: Hip-Hop! Max and 99 get an assist from Manny Faces who responds to an Unf*cker, and DJs while Max and 99 sing. They also discuss capitalism, the working class and Max's new haircut. Chapters Intro: 00:00:20 Headlines: 00:05:22 Emails: 00:10:02 Instagram Shout Outs: 00:46:09 YouTube Shout Outs: 00:49:59 Buy Me A Coffee Memberships + Donations: 00:51:56 Outro: 01:00:32 Headlines World Socialist Web Site: California Governor Newsom picks long-time Democratic Party operative Laphonza Butler to replace Senator Feinstein ACLU: On the Frontlines of the Fight Against Classroom Censorship Resources Hip-Hop Can Save America: Dr. Bettina Love [Hip-Hop Education & Civics] -- If you like the pod version of #UNFTR, make sure to check out the video version on YouTube where Max shows his beautiful face! www.youtube.com/@UNFTR Please leave us a rating and review on Apple Podcasts: unftr.com/rate and follow us on Facebook , Twitter and Instagram at @UNFTRpod. Visit us online at unftr.com . Join the Unf*cker-run Facebook group: facebook.com/groups/2051537518349565 Buy yourself some Unf*cking Coffee® at shop.unftr.com . Subscribe to Unf*cking The Republic® at unftr.com/blog to get the essays these episode are framed around sent to your inbox every week. Check out the UNFTR Pod Love playlist on Spotify: spoti.fi/3yzIlUP. Visit our bookshop.org page at bookshop.org/shop/UNFTRpod to find the full UNFTR book list, and find book recommendations from our Unf*ckers at bookshop.org/lists/unf-cker-book-recommendations . Access the UNFTR Musicless feed by following the instructions at unftr.com/accessibility . Unf*cking the Republic® is produced by 99 and engineered by Manny Faces Media ( mannyfacesmedia.com ). Original music is by Tom McGo
Mon, October 02, 2023
Understanding Socialism: Part Six. Epilogue.
The final, final (no really) installment in our series on socialism looks narrowly at the period between World War One and the Russian Revolution to identify factors that contributed to the Bolshevik departure from Marxist theory and how nationalism squashed any hope for an internationalist movement. We revisit the words of the theorists and activists we covered in the series from Jeremy Bentham to Eugene Debs and raise difficult questions about the future of socialist activity in the United States specifically and whether new ideas are required to battle the ravages of capitalism. Chapters Intro: 00:04:17 Part One: 00:05:41 Part Two: 00:16:08 Post Show Musings: 00:37:16 Outro: 00:55:37 Book Love Joseph A. Schumpeter: Capitalism, Socialism, and Democracy John M. Thompson: Revolutionary Russia, 1917 Bernard Harcourt: Critique and Praxis Ray Ginger: The Bending Cross: A Biography of Eugene Victor Debs Karl Marx: The Communist Manifesto Karl Marx: Das Kapital Michael Harrington: Socialism: Past and Future Victor Serge + Natalia Ivanovna Sedova: Life and Death of Leon Trotsky Anne Sebba: Ethel Rosenberg: An American Tragedy Peter Kropotkin: The Conquest of Bread Staughton Lynd + Andrej Grubačic: Wobblies and Zapatistas: Conversations on Anarchism, Marxism, and Radical History Emma Goldman: Anarchism and Other Essays Anthony J. Nocella II, Mark Seis and Jeff Shantz: Classic Writings in Anarchist Criminology: A Historical Dismantling of Punishment and Domination . Margaret MacMillan: The War That Ended Peace: The Road to 1914 Resources The Collector: What do Hegel and Marx Have in Common? Socialist Alternative: Robert Owen and Utopian Socialism Marxists.org: Encyclopedia of Marxism: Events Washington Stat
Fri, September 29, 2023
Show Notes [Strike!]
99 is back in this episode of Show Notes; her and Max talk Taylor Swift, unions + strikes, and read some opposing view feedback from Unf*ckers. Enjoy! Chapters Intro: 00:00:20 Headlines: 00:17:43 Emails: 00:42:42 Buy Me A Coffee Memberships + Donations: 01:28:04 Outro: 01:30:55 Headlines The Intercept: House Republicans Are Hurtling Toward the Most Pointless Shutdown Ever Resources UNFTR Facebook Group House Delegate: Matt Christman: The Founder and Capitalism Weiner UNFTR: Republican Rehab -- If you like the pod version of #UNFTR, make sure to check out the video version on YouTube where Max shows his beautiful face! www.youtube.com/@UNFTR Please leave us a rating and review on Apple Podcasts: unftr.com/rate and follow us on Facebook , Twitter and Instagram at @UNFTRpod. Visit us online at unftr.com . Join the Unf*cker-run Facebook group: facebook.com/groups/2051537518349565 Buy yourself some Unf*cking Coffee® at shop.unftr.com . Subscribe to Unf*cking The Republic® at unftr.com/blog to get the essays these episode are framed around sent to your inbox every week. Check out the UNFTR Pod Love playlist on Spotify: spoti.fi/3yzIlUP. Visit our bookshop.org page at bookshop.org/shop/UNFTRpod to find the full UNFTR book list, and find book recommendations from our Unf*ckers at bookshop.org/lists/unf-cker-book-recommendations . Access the UNFTR Musicless feed by following the instructions at unftr.com/accessibility . Unf*cking the Republic® is produced by 99 and engineered by Manny Faces Media ( mannyfacesmedia.com ). Original music is by Tom McGovern ( tommcgovern.com ). The show is written and hosted by Max and distributed by 99. Podcast art descripti
Fri, September 22, 2023
Strike! Reality checking the labor movement.
Strike! Union actions are everywhere. High profile work stoppages from the Screen Actors Guild to the United Auto Workers have put the labor movement front and center in ways we haven’t seen for decades. How powerful is the impact of these actions? You’re not going to like my take on it. But we need to have some authentic dialogue about the labor movement, the corporate class and new strategies required to stem the tide of increasing inequality. Chapters Intro: 00:01:15 Post Show Musings: 00:33:21 Outro: 00:45:05 Resources Associated Press: United Auto Workers threaten to expand targeted strike if there is no substantive progress by Friday Automotive News: GM CEO Mary Barra's 2022 compensation: $29M U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Annual work stoppages involving 1,000 or more workers, 1947 - Present St. Louis Fed: Civilian Labor Force Level Detroit Free Press: GM to reinstate a dividend and start stock buybacks, signaling confidence GM Authority: GM Employees Receive Record $12,750 Profit-Sharing Check Social Security Administration: National Average Wage Index Rosa-Luxemburg-Stiftung: The French Labour Paradox AFL-CIO: Collective Bargaining NBER: Impacts of Right-to-Work Laws on Unionization and Wages OECD: United States: Main indicators and characteristics of collective bargaining Forbes: Remote Work Statistics And Trends In 2023 MckInsey & Company: Freelance, side hustles, and gigs: Many more Americans have become independent workers CNBC: 61% of Americans say they are living paych
Thu, September 21, 2023
Show Notes [Understanding Socialism: Part Five.]
Max flies solo in this episode of Show Notes while 99 is out with consumption (COVID). He covers AOC + Socialism feedback, goes on a Boebert rant, and reads tons of Unf*cker feedback. Enjoy! Chapters Intro: 00:00:20 Headlines: 00:02:54 Emails: 00:07:41 Facebook Shout Outs: 00:33:03 Instagram Shout Outs: 00:41:13 YouTube Shout Outs: 00:41:43 Buy Me A Coffee Memberships + Donations: 00:54:13 Outro: 00:55:00 Headlines Mother Jones: New Report: One-Third of States Have an Election Denier Overseeing Elections Current Affairs: The Strong Towns Movement is Simply Right-Libertarianism Dressed in Progressive Garb Resources Naomi Klein: Doppelganger: A Trip Into the Mirror World -- If you like the pod version of #UNFTR, make sure to check out the video version on YouTube where Max shows his beautiful face! www.youtube.com/@UNFTR Please leave us a rating and review on Apple Podcasts: unftr.com/rate and follow us on Facebook , Twitter and Instagram at @UNFTRpod. Visit us online at unftr.com . Join the Unf*cker-run Facebook group: facebook.com/groups/2051537518349565 Buy yourself some Unf*cking Coffee® at shop.unftr.com . Subscribe to Unf*cking The Republic® at unftr.com/blog to get the essays these episode are framed around sent to your inbox every week. Check out the UNFTR Pod Love playlist on Spotify: spoti.fi/3yzIlUP. Visit our bookshop.org page at bookshop.org/shop/UNFTRpod to find the full UNFTR book list, and find book recommendations from our Unf*ckers at bookshop.org/lists/unf-cker-book-recommendations . Access the UNFTR Musicless feed by following the instructions at unftr.com/accessibility . Unf*cking the Republic® is produced by 99 and engineered by Manny Faces Media ( mannyfacesmedia.co
Sat, September 16, 2023
Understanding Socialism: Part Five. 1871 to 1917. Revolutionary Divide.
This is technically the final installment of our series “Understanding Socialism” where we cover the period between the Paris Commune in 1871 and onset of World War I, which precedes (and leads to) the Russian Revolution in 1917. We’re going to cover the Russian Revolution briefly in an epilogue that speaks to the divergence from classical Marxism from the Revolution forward and where socialist movements stand today. This final episode brings new figures into the spotlight such as Karl Kautsky and Rosa Luxemburg and crosses the pond to introduce the likes of Emma Goldman and Eugene Debs. Chapters Intro: 00:02:05 Chapter Ten: 00:07:16 Chapter Eleven: 00:22:43 Chapter Twelve: 00:50:52 Book Love Joseph A. Schumpeter: Capitalism, Socialism, and Democracy John M. Thompson: Revolutionary Russia, 1917 Bernard Harcourt: Critique and Praxis Ray Ginger: The Bending Cross: A Biography of Eugene Victor Debs Karl Marx: The Communist Manifesto Karl Marx: Das Kapital Michael Harrington: Socialism: Past and Future Victor Serge + Natalia Ivanovna Sedova: Life and Death of Leon Trotsky Anne Sebba: Ethel Rosenberg: An American Tragedy Peter Kropotkin: The Conquest of Bread Staughton Lynd + Andrej Grubačic: Wobblies and Zapatistas: Conversations on Anarchism, Marxism, and Radical History Emma Goldman: Anarchism and Other Essays Anthony J. Nocella II, Mark Seis and Jeff Shantz: Classic Writings in Anarchist Criminology: A Historical Dismantling of Punishment and Domination . Resources The Collector: What do Hegel and Marx Have in Common? Socialist Alternative: Robert Owen and Utopian Socialism Marxists.org: Encyclopedia of Marxism: Events Washington State University: Introduction to 19th-Century Socialis
Sat, September 02, 2023
Hands Off AOC: Reply to the Slandering of a Revolutionist.
AOC. The country continues to obsess over the bright light of the progressive caucus and most high profile member of “The Squad.” From day one, AOC has been the subject of harsh criticisms steeped in misogyny and class resentment; mostly from the right. Oftentimes, however, the criticisms have come from inside the Democratic Party establishment. Recently, however, she’s been in the crosshairs of the far left end of the spectrum. Some of this isn’t new, but it seems to be growing. In this episode we look deeper at her record, set a few things straight about the nature of politics in America and make a haunting comparison from history that serves as a warning. Chapters Intro: 00:00:32 Post Show Musings: 00:20:03 Outro: 00:36:33 Resources The Militant: Hands of Rosa Luxemburg Vanity Fair: Unearthed Video Shows Marjorie Taylor Greene Has Been Psychotically Stalking AOC for Years Politico: From agitator to insider: The evolution of AOC AOC's Pathetic Biden Endorsement New York Magazine: AOC Is Just a Regular Old Democrat Now Pod Save America: Exclusive: AOC Talks Honestly About Joe Biden, The Supreme Court, and the 2024 Presidential Election Office of Congressional Ethics: <a href="https://oce.house.gov/reports/investigations/oce-referral-regarding-rep-alexandria-ocasio-cortez" data-tooltip-only-on-overflow="true" aria-label="OCE Referral Regarding Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez | Of..." data-tooltip="OCE Referral
Fri, September 01, 2023
Show Notes [What is Bidenomics?]
Max and 99 are reunited in this episode of Show Notes! They talk Bidenomics, Phone A Friend, and sharting. (Sorry.) Chapters Intro: 00:00:20 Headlines: 00:16:41 Emails: 00:27:51 Facebook Shout Outs: 00:47:00 Buy Me A Coffee Memberships + Donations: 01:04:24 Reviews: 01:06:04 Outro: 01:06:21 Headlines HRW: “They Fired on Us Like Rain”: Saudi Arabian Mass Killings of Ethiopian Migrants at the Yemen-Saudi Border World Socialist Web Site: BRICS to expand to counter US dollar dependence The New York Times: America Is Draining Its Groundwater Like There’s No Tomorrow Resources Oliver Anthony: Rich Men North Of Richmond Billy Bragg: Rich Men Earning North of a Million What Next Podcast: What’s Vivek Ramaswamy’s Deal? The New Yorker: Elon Musk’s Shadow Rule UNFTR: F*ck Milton Friedman -- If you like the pod version of #UNFTR, make sure to check out the video version on YouTube where Max shows his beautiful face! www.youtube.com/@UNFTR Please leave us a rating and review on Apple Podcasts: unftr.com/rate and follow us on Facebook , Twitter and Instagram at @UNFTRpod. Visit us online at unftr.com . Join the Unf*cker-run Facebook group: facebook.com/groups/2051537518349565 Buy yourself some Unf*cking Coffee® at shop.unftr.com . Subscribe to Unf*cking The Republic® at unftr.com/blog to get the essays these episode are framed around sent to your inbox every week. Check out the UNFTR Pod Love playlist on Spotify: spoti.fi/3yzIlUP. Visit our bookshop.org page at bookshop.org/shop/UNF
Sat, August 26, 2023
What is Bidenomics? Is anyone telling the truth?
“If a tree falls in a forest and no one is around to hear it, does it make a sound?” “Is there life after death?” “If the POTUS says the economy is great but no one feels it, is it really a recovery?” I’ll leave the first two for philosophy majors. On the third question, I have some thoughts. The administration is touting what it calls, “Bidenomics.” Much like Obama chose to own “Obamacare” and turn it into a positive, President Joe Biden is owning the U.S. economy and making it the centerpiece of his re-election campaign. Will it work? Depends. This week’s episode is a deep(ish) dive into U.S. economic data. The U.S. might be doing better than the rest of the world. Inflation is cooling and people are working. But Americans are also racking up debt, getting priced out of the housing market, depleting their savings and are wholly uncertain about the future. Come election time, it will still be all about the economy, but it won’t be about the numbers. It will be about sentiment. Chapters Intro: 00:00:58 Sketch: 00:04:54 Chapter One: 00:10:27 Chapter Two: 00:21:52 Post Show Musings: 00:46:06 Outro: 00:54:08 Resources Foreign Affairs: The End of China’s Economic Miracle Associated Press: Foreign companies are shifting investment out of China as confidence wanes, business group says The New York Times: China’s Property Crisis: Why It’s So Hard for Beijing to Fix - The New York Times Reuters: Analysis: US debt-ceiling deal dooms Biden's revolutionary tax plans The Conference Board: Leading Economic Index St. Louis Federal Reserve: Does Labor Market Tightness Vary across States? Federal Reserve Board: Recent balance sheet trends St. Louis Federal Reserve: Corporate Profits After Tax (without IVA and CCAdj) (CP) San Francisco Fed: The Rise and Fall of Pandemic Excess Savings Federal Reserve Bank of New York: Household Debt and Credit Report -- If
Mon, August 21, 2023
Phone A Friend: Francesca Fiorentini of The Bitchuation Room.
Francesca Fiorentini is a journalist, activist, comedian and host of the popular Bitchuation Room podcast and YouTube channel. Max and Francesca talk swimming pools, presidential politics, California candidates and the liberal obsession with tearing down AOC & the squad. Watch the interview on YouTube. Resources Francesa on YouTube The Bitchuation Room Podcast Francesca on Twitter Francesca on Facebook Francesca on Instagram -- If you like the pod version of #UNFTR, make sure to check out the video version on YouTube where Max shows his beautiful face! www.youtube.com/@UNFTR Please leave us a rating and review on Apple Podcasts: unftr.com/rate and follow us on Facebook , Twitter and Instagram at @UNFTRpod. Visit us online at unftr.com . Join the Unf*cker-run Facebook group: facebook.com/groups/2051537518349565 Buy yourself some Unf*cking Coffee® at shop.unftr.com . Subscribe to Unf*cking The Republic® at unftr.com/blog to get the essays these episode are framed around sent to your inbox every week. Check out the UNFTR Pod Love playlist on Spotify: spoti.fi/3yzIlUP. Visit our bookshop.org page at bookshop.org/shop/UNFTRpod to find the full UNFTR book list, and find book recommendations from our Unf*ckers at bookshop.org/lists/unf-cker-book-recommendations . Access the UNFTR Musicless feed by following the instructions at unftr.com/accessibility . Unf*cking the Republic® is produced by 99 and engineered by Manny Faces Media ( mannyfacesmedia.com ). Original music is by Tom McGovern ( tommcgovern.com ). The show is written and hosted by Max and distributed by 99. Podcast art description: Image of the US Constitution ripped in the middle revealing white text on a blue background that says, "Unf*cking the Republic®." <a href="https://www.b
Sun, August 13, 2023
Show Notes [Understanding Socialism: Part Four.]
Happy Max-less Show Notes to all who celebrate! 99 is joined by Manny this week and they discuss Socialism Part Four, Barbie, Hip-Hop and podcasts! Chapters Intro: 00:20:00 Start Barbie Spoilers: 00:07:37 End Barbie Spoilers: 00:10:56 Emails: 00:12:14 YouTube Shout Outs: 00:22:08 Reviews: 00:25:27 Podcasts: 00:27:43 Outro: 00:45:51 Resources Bernard E. Harcourt: Critique and Praxis News Beat: Invisible Wars: A Conversation With Norman Solomon Norman Solomon: War Made Invisible: How America Hides the Human Toll of Its Military Machine Nathan Rabin: You Don't Know Me But You Don't Like Me: Phish, Insane Clown Posse, and My Misadventures with Two of Music's Most Maligned Tribes Hip-Hop Can Save America Life Kit: Losing a pet is hard. Here's how to cope Conspirituality: 163: The Huberman Paradox (w/Jonathan Jarry) Scamanda The Blog Era -- If you like the pod version of #UNFTR, make sure to check out the video version on YouTube where Max shows his beautiful face! www.youtube.com/@UNFTR Please leave us a rating and review on Apple Podcasts: unftr.com/rate and follow us on Facebook , Twitter and Instagram at @UNFTRpod. Visit us online at unftr.com . Join the Unf*cker-run Facebook group: facebook.com/groups/2051537518349565 Buy yourself some Unf*cking Coffee® at shop.unftr.com . Subscribe to Unf*cking The Republic® at unftr.com/blog to get the essays these episode are framed around sent to your inbox every week. Check out the UNFTR Pod Love playlist on Spotify: spoti.fi/3yzIlUP. Visit our bookshop.org page at bookshop.org/shop/UNFTRpod to find the full UNFTR book list, and find book recommendations from our Unf*ckers at<a href="https://boo
Thu, August 10, 2023
Phone A Friend: Nathan J. Robinson of Current Affairs.
Nathan J. Robinson is the author of 10 non-fiction books and four illustrated books. He defied modernity by launching a magazine (yes an actual physical magazine), called Current Affairs which blends eye-popping and fun illustrations with scathing prose and real, authentic journalism. Nathan and Max have a wide-ranging conversation from education to socialism in our Phone A Friend. Resources Current Affairs: The Intellectual We Deserve Current Affairs: Admit Everybody Current Affairs: The Great American World War II Story Current Affairs Online Current Affairs Magazine Nathan J. Robinson: Why You Should Be a Socialist Nathan J. Robinson: Superpredator: Bill Clinton's Use and Abuse of Black America Nathan's Other Books Current Affairs News Briefing Current Affairs Podcast Current Affairs on Twitter Nathan on Twitter -- If you like the pod version of #UNFTR, make sure to check out the video version on YouTube where Max shows his beautiful face! www.youtube.com/@UNFTR Please leave us a rating and review on Apple Podcasts: unftr.com/rate and follow us on Facebook , Twitter and Instagram at @UNFTRpod. Visit us online at unftr.com . Join the Unf*cker-run Facebook group: facebook.com/groups/2051537518349565 Buy yourself some Unf*cking Coffee® at shop.unftr.com . Subscribe to Unf*cking The Republic® at unftr.com/blog to get the essays these episode are framed around sent to your inbox every week. Check out the UNFTR Pod Love playlist on Spotify: spoti.fi/3yzIlUP. Visit our bookshop.org page at <a hre
Mon, July 31, 2023
Understanding Socialism: Part Four. Praxis.
It’s Part Four this week, and things are really heating up. We’re bridging the gap between the “critique” years and the “praxis” years with a deep dive into the late 1800s. Mikhail Bakunin and Pierre-Joseph Proudhon make grand entrances into our narrative and bring some intrigue along with them. Part Four covers the pivotal year of 1870, the splinter between the anarchist and Democratic socialist wings of the party, and speaks to the variables present on the European continent at this critical juncture. The episode culminates with the Paris Commune of 1871 and lays the groundwork for Part Five where we’ll cover the rise of the Bolsheviks and the American labor movement. Are we having fun yet? (Don’t answer that.) Chapters Intro: 00:01:21 Chapter Eight: Socialist Fault Lines. 00:06:31 Coffee Break: 00:22:33 Chapter Nine: 1870. The year everything changed. 00:23:28 Bring It Home, Max: 00:36:33 Post Show Musings: 00:38:15 Outro: 00:51:39 Book Love Joseph A. Schumpeter: Capitalism, Socialism, and Democracy John M. Thompson: Revolutionary Russia, 1917 Bernard Harcourt: Critique and Praxis Ray Ginger: The Bending Cross: A Biography of Eugene Victor Debs Karl Marx: The Communist Manifesto Karl Marx: Das Kapital Michael Harrington: Socialism: Past and Future Victor Serge + Natalia Ivanovna Sedova: Life and Death of Leon Trotsky Anne Sebba: Ethel Rosenberg: An American Tragedy Resources The Collector: What do Hegel and Marx Have in Common? Socialist Alternative: Robert Owen and Utopian Socialism Marxists.org: Encyclopedia of Marxism: Events Washington State University: Introduction to 19th-Century Socialism Howard Zinn: Commemorating Emma Goldman: 'Living My Life' Stanford: Hegel's Dialectics The History of Economic Thought: <a href="https://www.hetwebs
Fri, July 28, 2023
Show Notes [Understanding Socialism: Part Three.]
In this episode of Show Notes, Max and 99 review some housekeeping, Headlines (Leonard Leo, NY State + the ADA), and talk Socialism Part Three. Enjoy, Unf*ckers! Chapters Intro: 00:00:20 Headlines: 00:22:43 Emails: 00:44:55 Facebook Shout Outs: 00:51:40 YouTube Shout Outs: 00:56:48 Buy Me A Coffee Memberships + Donations: 01:02:26 Outro: 01:02:58 Headlines The Lever: The Church Of Leonard Leo Office of the New York State Comptroller: DiNapoli: State's Fiscal Outlook Declines Mother Jones: Disability “Testers” Keep Businesses Accessible. Will SCOTUS Ban Them? The New York Times: White House Condemns Fox News Over Host’s Holocaust Comments Resources UNFTR Facebook Group News Beat Website Unf*cker Recommendations The Atlantic: Mister Rogers Had a Simple Set of Rules for Talking to Children -- If you like the pod version of #UNFTR, make sure to check out the video version on YouTube where Max shows his beautiful face! www.youtube.com/@UNFTR Please leave us a rating and review on Apple Podcasts: unftr.com/rate and follow us on Facebook , Twitter and Instagram at @UNFTRpod. Visit us online at unftr.com . Join the Unf*cker-run Facebook group: facebook.com/groups/2051537518349565 Buy yourself some Unf*cking Coffee® at shop.unftr.com . Subscribe to Unf*cking The Republic® at unftr.com/blog to get the essays these episode are framed around sent to your inbox every week. Check out the UNFTR Pod Love playlist on Spotify: spoti.fi/3yzIlUP. Visit our bookshop.org page at bookshop.org/shop/UNFTRpod to find the full UNFTR book list, and find boo
Tue, July 18, 2023
Understanding Socialism: Part Three. The “Critique Phase” (1825–1870).
We have the third installment in our socialism series, where we resume our journey beginning in 1825 and the collapse of Robert Owen’s New Harmony experiment. This next chapter introduces the work of John Stuart Mill and Karl Marx and touches on Mikhail Bakunin and Pierre-Joseph Proudhon, both of whom we’ll explore more fully in Part Four. Not gonna lie, this series may never end. But this is a critical piece of the puzzle that we’re calling the “Critique Period,” lasting from 1825 to around 1870. This era is punctuated by widespread revolts in 1848 that inform some of the new thinking around capitalism and the plight of the working class—all leading into the explosion of socialist philosophy that hits the mainstream consciousness following the events of 1870 (again, for Part Four). Chapters Intro: 00:01:07 Chapter Six: Revolutionary Conditions. 00:07:54 Chapter Seven: Marx and Mill. 00:18:42 Post Show Musings: 00:38:17 Book Love: 00:38:44 Outro: 00:53:41 Book Love Joseph A. Schumpeter: Capitalism, Socialism, and Democracy John M. Thompson: Revolutionary Russia, 1917 Bernard Harcourt: Critique and Praxis Ray Ginger: The Bending Cross: A Biography of Eugene Victor Debs Karl Marx: The Communist Manifesto Karl Marx: Das Kapital Michael Harrington: Socialism: Past and Future Victor Serge + Natalia Ivanovna Sedova: Life and Death of Leon Trotsky Anne Sebba: Ethel Rosenberg: An American Tragedy Resources The Collector: What do Hegel and Marx Have in Common? Socialist Alternative: Robert Owen and Utopian Socialism Marxists.org: Encyclopedia of Marxism: Events Washington State University: Introduction to 19th-Century Socialism Howard Zinn: Commemorating Emma Goldman: 'Living My Life' Stanford: Hegel's Dialectics The History of Economic Thought: <a href="https
Mon, July 17, 2023
Show Notes Part Two [Unf*cking Flashback: The Assange Problem.]
In the second part of Show Notes, Max and 99 delve into Unf*cker emails and social comments; weighing in on some heavy hitting topics like Israel/Palestine and term limits. Chapters Intro: 00:00:20 Emails: 00:01:03 Facebook Shout Outs: 00:55:29 Instagram Shout Outs: 00:59:39 YouTube Shout Outs: 01:01:26 Buy Me A Coffee Memberships + Donations: 01:03:57 Outro: 01:08:25 Unf*cker Recommendations Lessenberry Ink: The Failure of Term Limits The Guardian: France has ignored racist police violence for decades. This uprising is the price of that denial Jodi Dean+ Charisse Burden-Stelly: Organize, Fight, Win: Black Communist Women's Political Writing Keeanga-Yamahtta Taylor: How We Get Free: Black Feminism and the Combahee River Collective Brandon Weber: Class War, USA: Dispatches from Workers' Struggles in American History Aja Monet: My Mother Was a Freedom Fighter -- If you like the pod version of #UNFTR, make sure to check out the video version on YouTube where Max shows his beautiful face! www.youtube.com/@UNFTR Please leave us a rating and review on Apple Podcasts: unftr.com/rate and follow us on Facebook , Twitter and Instagram at @UNFTRpod. Visit us online at unftr.com . Join the Unf*cker-run Facebook group: facebook.com/groups/2051537518349565 Buy yourself some Unf*cking Coffee® at shop.unftr.com . Subscribe to Unf*cking The Republic® at unftr.com/blog to get the essays these episode are framed around sent to your inbox every week. Check out the UNFTR Pod Love playlist on Spotify: spoti.fi/3yzIlUP. Visit our bookshop.org page at bookshop.org/shop/UNFTRpod to find the full UNFTR book list, and find book recommendations from our Unf*ckers at bookshop.org/lists/unf-cker-book-recommendations . Access the
Fri, July 14, 2023
Show Notes Part One [Unf*cking Flashback: The Assange Problem.]
Today we have a first: a two part Show Notes! In Part One, Max and 99 catch up, and delve into some headlines. Part Two to come tomorrow. Chapters Intro: 00:00:20 Manny’s Corner: 00:05:00 Headlines: 00:22:50 Outro: 00:52:28 Headlines The Intercept: Judges Keep Ruling That Anti-Trans Health Care Bans Make Shitty Law. The GOP Isn't Giving Up. Emissions Substack: The Food Problem Is Bigger Than Lettuce Current Affairs: How To Explain Socialism Clearly In a Way That Actually Persuades People Resources News Beat: Interview With U.S. Presidential Candidate Dr. Cornel West ACLU: Mapping Attacks on LGBTQ Rights in U.S. State Legislatures -- If you like the pod version of #UNFTR, make sure to check out the video version on YouTube where Max shows his beautiful face! www.youtube.com/@UNFTR Please leave us a rating and review on Apple Podcasts: unftr.com/rate and follow us on Facebook , Twitter and Instagram at @UNFTRpod. Visit us online at unftr.com . Join the Unf*cker-run Facebook group: facebook.com/groups/2051537518349565 Buy yourself some Unf*cking Coffee® at shop.unftr.com . Subscribe to Unf*cking The Republic® at unftr.com/blog to get the essays these episode are framed around sent to your inbox every week. Check out the UNFTR Pod Love playlist on Spotify: spoti.fi/3yzIlUP. Visit our bookshop.org page at bookshop.org/shop/UNFTRpod to find the full UNFTR book list, and find book recommendations from our Unf*ckers at bookshop.org/lists/unf-cker-book-recommendations . Access the UNFTR Musicless feed by following the instructions at unftr.com/accessibility . Unf*cking the Republic® is produced by 99 and engineered by
Fri, July 07, 2023
News Beat's Exclusive Interview With Dr. Cornel West
"If our democracy is to survive, the empire must be dismantled.” That’s what Dr. Cornel West told our friends at News Beat in an exclusive, wide-ranging interview in which he talked about dismantling systems of oppression, uplifting the poor and working class, ending America’s military industrial complex, and abolishing poverty, homelessness, and prisons. West, who is vying for the Green Party nomination for U.S. President, said his third-party bid is also about putting an end to the corporate duopoly and dismissed claims that a candidate outside of the two-party system can’t win. He also said he’s entering the race not just to introduce new ideas but to fight for marginalized people, vowing to take on anyone who is hostile to the struggle of working people and those on the front-line of disastrous conflicts. For more from News Beat , including the video version of this interview, visit newsbeat.substack.com and visit Manny's other show, www.hiphopcansaveamerica.com. -- If you like the pod version of #UNFTR, make sure to check out the video version on YouTube where Max shows his beautiful face! www.youtube.com/@UNFTR Please leave us a rating and review on Apple Podcasts: unftr.com/rate and follow us on Facebook , Twitter and Instagram at @UNFTRpod. Visit us online at unftr.com . Join the Unf*cker-run Facebook group: facebook.com/groups/2051537518349565 Buy yourself some Unf*cking Coffee® at shop.unftr.com . Subscribe to Unf*cking The Republic® at unftr.com/blog to get the essays these episode are framed around sent to your inbox every week. Check out the UNFTR Pod Love playlist on Spotify: spoti.fi/3yzIlUP. Visit our bookshop.org page at bookshop.org/shop/UNFTRpod to find the full UNFTR book list, and find book recommendations from our Unf*ckers at bookshop.org/lists/unf-cker-book-recommendations . Access the UNFTR Musicless feed by following the instructions at unftr.com/accessibility . Unf*cking the Republic® is produced by 99 and engineered by Manny Faces Media ( mannyfacesmedia.com ). Original music is by Tom McGovern (<a href=
Mon, June 26, 2023
Unf*cking Flashback: The Assange Problem. Time is Running Out to Salvage Press Freedom.
[An update from Max, 6/26/23] Hey Unf*ckers. This episode updates the Assange piece we released a while back. It’s possible that by the time you hear this, there will have been movement on his case. If not, it seems likely that his extradition to the United States is imminent. So I’ve updated the episode with some new thoughts and generally cleaned up the text; it’s very similar, almost a re-release of the original, just tighter and more focused. Either way, it’s a good refresher considering how much the Espionage Act is in the news these days. But mostly it’s a necessary reminder of what’s at stake. The Espionage Act is having quite the moment in the sun these days. Former President Donald Trump was charged under the act for knowingly absconding with and hiding classified documents said to contain sensitive nuclear capability secrets and theoretical attack plans. Daniel Ellsberg, famed whistleblower behind the release of the Pentagon Papers, passed away this week; perhaps the most high profile modern target of the Espionage Act until, of course, Trump. Amidst all of this newfound attention being paid to an arcane World War I era law designed to squash any objection to the war effort, there’s Julian Assange. He is the ultimate litmus test for America. A test to see just how committed we are to maintaining even a shred of a democratic facade. Resources RSF: UK: Julian Assange dangerously close to extradition following High Court rejection of appeal Book Love Glenn Greenwald: No Place to Hide: Edward Snowden, the NSA, and the U.S. Surveillance State Tariq Ali + Margaret Kunstler: In Defense of Julian Assange Pod Love Intercepted with Jeremy Scahill: Joe Biden's War Powers Media Roots Radio with Abby & Robbie Martin: Assange Trial: Torture, Trumped Up Charges & A Warning to Us All w/ Kevin Gosztola News Beat: Chelsea Manning: Collateral Murder Cover-Up News Beat: Espionage Act & The Battle For The Free Press -- If you like the pod version of #UNFTR, make sure to check out the video version on YouTube where Max shows his beautiful face! www.youtube.com/@UNFTR Please leave us a rating and review on Apple Podcasts: unftr.com/rate and follow us on Facebook , Twitter and <a href="https://www.instagram.com/unf
Fri, June 23, 2023
Show Notes [Ep 99: Understanding Socialism: Part Two.]
Today’s Show Notes is a rousing display of show notes. Headlines, emails + donations galore. Enjoy! Chapters Intro: 00:00:20 Headlines: 00:03:50 Emails: 00:17:00 Instagram Shout Outs: 01:00:13 YouTube Shout Outs: 01:01:23 Buy Me A Coffee Donations + Memberships: 01:06:06 Outro: 01:06:52 Headlines RSF: UK: Julian Assange dangerously close to extradition following High Court rejection of appeal Mother Jones: The Weight of Water: Women Mariners Abused at Sea Are Finally Breaking Their Silence The Intercept: The FBI Groomed a 16-Year-Old With “Brain Development Issues” to Become a Terrorist -- If you like the pod version of #UNFTR, make sure to check out the video version on YouTube where Max shows his beautiful face! www.youtube.com/@UNFTR Please leave us a rating and review on Apple Podcasts: unftr.com/rate and follow us on Facebook , Twitter and Instagram at @UNFTRpod. Visit us online at unftr.com . Join the Unf*cker-run Facebook group: facebook.com/groups/2051537518349565 Buy yourself some Unf*cking Coffee® at shop.unftr.com . Subscribe to Unf*cking The Republic® at unftr.com/blog to get the essays these episode are framed around sent to your inbox every week. Check out the UNFTR Pod Love playlist on Spotify: spoti.fi/3yzIlUP. Visit our bookshop.org page at bookshop.org/shop/UNFTRpod to find the full UNFTR book list, and find book recommendations from our Unf*ckers at bookshop.org/lists/unf-cker-book-recommendations . Access the UNFTR Musicless feed by following the instructions at unftr.com/accessibility . Unf*cking the Republic® is produced by 99 and engineered by Manny Faces Media ( mannyfacesmedia.com ). Original music is by Tom McGovern (<a href="http://www.tommc
Sat, June 17, 2023
Understanding Socialism: Part Two. The Seeds of Socialism.
Believe it or not, we’re still not up to Karl Marx because we’re mired in the turn of the 19th Century. Part Two reveals the progenitors of socialist theory toward the end of the Enlightenment era. Charles Fourier, Henri de Saint-Simon and Robert Owen lay the groundwork coming out of the American and French revolutions by imagining new societies and mechanisms of power. In their writings we begin to see the roots of Marxian philosophy and draw upon concepts and experiments that would influence Marx and others during the second industrial revolution. Resources The Collector: What do Hegel and Marx Have in Common? Socialist Alternative: Robert Owen and Utopian Socialism Encyclopedia of Marxism: Events Washington State University: Introduction to 19th-Century Socialism | Common Errors in English Usage and More Howard Zinn: Commemorating Emma Goldman: 'Living My Life' Stanford: Hegel's Dialectics The History of Economic Thought: Cesare Beccaria Stanford: Jeremy Bentham Foundation for Economic Education: Robert Owen: The Woolly-Minded Cotton Spinner Book Love Joseph A. Schumpeter: Capitalism, Socialism, and Democracy John M. Thompson: Revolutionary Russia, 1917 Bernard Harcourt: Critique and Praxis Ray Ginger: The Bending Cross: A Biography of Eugene Victor Debs Karl Marx: The Communist Manifesto Karl Marx: Das Kapital Michael Harrington: Socialism: Past and Future Victor Serge + Natalia Ivanovna Sedova: Life and Death of Leon Trotsky Anne Sebba: Ethel Rosenberg: An American Tragedy Bernie Sanders: It’s Ok to Be Angry about Capitalism </p
Thu, June 15, 2023
Show Notes [Topical Cream 12: The Doctor is in.]
In this episode of Show Notes, Max and 99 read a comment from a disgruntled Unf*cker, discuss the weird number of conservatives who have done drag, and have a rousing conversation about menstruation. Oh, and the headlines! Enjoy y'all. Listen to The Doctor is in: Dr. Cornel West announces bid for presidency. Chapters Intro: 00:00:20 Headlines: 00:04:50 Emails: 00:14:38 Instagram Shout Outs: 00:52:41 YouTube Shout Outs: 00:58:30 Buy Me A Coffee + Reviews: 01:03:49 Outro: 01:04:36 Headlines The New York Times: CPI Report Live: Inflation Rose 4% in May, Another Sign of Cooling World Socialist Web Site: The Democratic Party, Donald Trump and the Espionage Act ICIJ: About the Deforestation Inc. investigation Unf*cker Recommendations Cedric J. Robinson: Black Marxism, Revised and Updated Third Edition: The Making of the Black Radical Tradition Jonathan M Katz: Gangsters of Capitalism: Smedley Butler, the Marines, and the Making and Breaking of America's Empire -- If you like the pod version of #UNFTR, make sure to check out the video version on YouTube where Max shows his beautiful face! www.youtube.com/@UNFTR Please leave us a rating and review on Apple Podcasts: unftr.com/rate and follow us on Facebook , Twitter and Instagram at @UNFTRpod. Visit us online at unftr.com . Join the Unf*cker-run Facebook group: facebook.com/groups/2051537518349565 Buy yourself some Unf*cking Coffee® at shop.unftr.com . Subscribe to Unf*cking The Republic® at unftr.com/blog to get the essays these episode are framed around sent to your inbox every week. Check out the UNFTR Pod Love playlist on Spotify: spoti.fi/3yzIlUP. Visit our bookshop.org page at bookshop.org/shop/UNFTRpod to find the full UNFTR book list, and find book recommendations from our
Thu, June 08, 2023
Show Notes [Ep. 98: SCOTUS Native Adoption Case.]
In this episode of Show Notes, Max and 99 spend too much time talking about Mad Men , cover pressing news in Headlines (the injustices being waged against the LGBTQ+ community, children in the work force & climate issues), plus they hear from friend of the show John Kane. Listen to SCOTUS Native Adoption Case: Landmark Decision Due This Month. Chapters Intro: 00:00:20 Headlines: 00:10:07 Emails: 00:19:57 YouTube Shout Outs: 00:47:38 Outro: 00:49:51 Resources Leave UNFTR a Review Let's Talk Native with John Kane Headlines Best of the Left: #1563 Putting Our Kids to Work for Corporate Profits Mother Jones: Legislatures Passed 550 Anti-Trans Bills So Far This Year Human Rights Campaign: National State of Emergency for LGBTQ+ Americans World Socialist Web Site: Leon Trotsky and the Struggle for Socialism in the Twenty-First Century New York Times: Opinion | The Climate Solution That’s Horrible for the Climate Emissions Substack UNFTR Resources Episode: The Economics of Racism. Episode: The Black & Jewish Divide in America. Unf*cker Recommendations Pitchfork Economics: Can the economy be liberated? (with Jeremie Greer) Raci$m Is Profitable podcast -- If you like the pod version of #UNFTR, make sure to check out the video version on YouTube where Max shows his beautiful face! www.youtube.com/@UNFTR Please leave us a rating and review on Apple Podcasts: unftr.com/rate and follow us on Facebook , Twitter and Instagram at @UNFTRpod. Visit us online at <a href="https://www.un
Wed, June 07, 2023
The Doctor is In: Dr. Cornel West announces bid for presidency.
Cornel West is one of the most important public intellectuals of the modern era. And now he's running for President of the United States representing the People's Party. Right person. Wrong platform. Resources World Socialist Web Site: The Movement for a People’s Party: No program, no principles, no future Cornel West for President Dr. Cornel West UNFTR Resources Video: The Doctor is IN. Dr. Cornel West announces bid for presidency. -- If you like the pod version of #UNFTR, make sure to check out the video version on YouTube where Max shows his beautiful face! www.youtube.com/@UNFTR Please leave us a rating and review on Apple Podcasts: unftr.com/rate and follow us on Facebook , Twitter and Instagram at @UNFTRpod. Visit us online at unftr.com . Join the Unf*cker-run Facebook group: facebook.com/groups/2051537518349565 Buy yourself some Unf*cking Coffee® at shop.unftr.com . Subscribe to Unf*cking The Republic® at unftr.com/blog to get the essays these episode are framed around sent to your inbox every week. Check out the UNFTR Pod Love playlist on Spotify: spoti.fi/3yzIlUP. Visit our bookshop.org page at bookshop.org/shop/UNFTRpod to find the full UNFTR book list, and find book recommendations from our Unf*ckers at bookshop.org/lists/unf-cker-book-recommendations . Access the UNFTR Musicless feed by following the instructions at unftr.com/accessibility . Unf*cking the Republic® is produced by 99 and engineered by Manny Faces Media ( mannyfacesmedia.com ). Original music is by Tom McGovern ( tommcgovern.com ). The show is written and hosted by Max and distributed by 99. Podcast art description: Image of the US Constitution ripped in the middle revealing white text on a blue background that says, "Unf*cking the Republic®." Supp
Sun, June 04, 2023
SCOTUS Native Adoption Case: Landmark Decision Due This Month.
The SCOTUS is set to release a number of decisions this month. Top of mind for us is the decision on Haaland v. Brackeen, which places Native sovereignty at risk. The case involves a white couple from Texas and Native foster children. The couple is petitioning the court for full custody, despite the possibility of the children moving in with Native family members on Navajo territory. It’s a complex case that challenges federal law governing Native adoptions and—surprise, surprise—involves dark money libertarian forces eager to upend Native rights of sovereignty. Resources NARF: FAQ 18: Adoption - A Practical Guide to the Indian Child Welfare Act The New York Times: Who Can Adopt a Native American Child? A Texas Couple vs. 573 Tribes Oyez: Haaland v. Brackeen Justia: United States v. Holliday :: 70 U.S. 407 (1865) :: Justia US Supreme Court Center Justia: Brackeen v. Haaland, No. 18-11479 (5th Cir. 2021) EdWeek: Native American Children Endured Brutal Treatment in U.S. Boarding Schools, Federal Report Shows The Indigenous Foundation: The U.S. history of Native American Boarding Schools American Civil Liberties Union: ACLU Files Amicus Brief Urging Supreme Court to Uphold the Indian Child Welfare Act ICT News: The fate of Indian Child Welfare before the Supreme Court UNFTR Resources Episode: Boarding Schools from Hell. Episode: Culture Cancel. -- If you like the pod version of #UNFTR, make sure to check out the video version on YouTube where Max shows his beautiful face! www.youtube.com/@UNFTR Please leave us a rating and review on Apple Podcasts: unftr.com/rate and follow us on Facebook , Twitter and Ins
Fri, June 02, 2023
Show Notes [Ep. 97: Understanding Socialism, Part One]
On this Show Notes episode, Max & 99 review brilliant and insightful listener and viewer feedback on our first of probably 63 Socialism episodes, admit a horrible secret that has to do with our website contact form, and reminisce about 9/11 and the Great Northeast Blackout of 2003, while the brilliant, talented and handsome Manny Faces offers a stark warning to help Max avoid losing two hours and fourteen minutes of his life. Plus 99 is a potty mouth. (Disclaimer: Manny Faces also wrote this intro instead of 99. Obviously.) -- If you like the pod version of #UNFTR, make sure to check out the video version on YouTube where Max shows his beautiful face! www.youtube.com/@UNFTR Please leave us a rating and review on Apple Podcasts: unftr.com/rate and follow us on Facebook , Twitter and Instagram at @UNFTRpod. Visit us online at unftr.com . Join the Unf*cker-run Facebook group: facebook.com/groups/2051537518349565 Buy yourself some Unf*cking Coffee® at shop.unftr.com . Subscribe to Unf*cking The Republic® at unftr.com/blog to get the essays these episode are framed around sent to your inbox every week. Check out the UNFTR Pod Love playlist on Spotify: spoti.fi/3yzIlUP. Visit our bookshop.org page at bookshop.org/shop/UNFTRpod to find the full UNFTR book list, and find book recommendations from our Unf*ckers at bookshop.org/lists/unf-cker-book-recommendations . Access the UNFTR Musicless feed by following the instructions at unftr.com/accessibility . Unf*cking the Republic® is produced by 99 and engineered by Manny Faces Media ( mannyfacesmedia.com ). Original music is by Tom McGovern ( tommcgovern.com ). The show is written and hosted by Max and distributed by 99. Podcast art description: Image of the US Constitution ripped in the middle revealing white text on a blue background that says, "Unf*cking the Republic®." Support the show: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/unftr See <a href="https://omnys
Sat, May 27, 2023
Understanding Socialism: Part One. An Introduction to Socialism.
This week on UNFTR we have the first in the series on socialism. After our “ISMs” refresher last week, we dip our toes into the communal water and begin the process of unpacking an economic and ideological philosophy that inspires rage on the right, hope on the left and (mostly) fear in the middle. The episode starts off with listener feedback from a call we put out on social media and YouTube. We asked listeners to explain socialism in a couple of sentences and the responses were amazing. The episode continues with examples of how socialism is portrayed in the mainstream media, some basic misconceptions and UNFTR style level-setting on key terms and definitions. Chapters Chapter One: Audience feedback and answers. 00:05:58 Chapter Two: The Importance of Being Bernie. 00:15:00 Chapter Three: A brief overview of crucial concepts. 00:25:08 Post Show Musings: 00:34:56 Outro: 00:37:06 Book Love Joseph A. Schumpeter: Capitalism, Socialism, and Democracy John M. Thompson: Revolutionary Russia, 1917 Bernard Harcourt: Critique and Praxis Ray Ginger: The Bending Cross: A Biography of Eugene Victor Debs Karl Marx: The Communist Manifesto Karl Marx: Das Kapital Michael Harrington: Socialism: Past and Future Victor Serge + Natalia Ivanovna Sedova: Life and Death of Leon Trotsky Anne Sebba: Ethel Rosenberg: An American Tragedy Bernie Sanders: It’s Ok to Be Angry about Capitalism UNFTR Resources Episode: Unf*cking Flashback: Capitasociafascilibdemarxism Exploring ISMs in the Modern Age. Video: Socialism, Communism & Marxism. Unpacking ISMs. Episode: Capitalism Video: We don't understand Capitalism- Part One. Video: We don't understand Capitalism- Part Two. -- If you like the pod version of #UNFTR, make sure to check out the video version on YouTube where Max shows his beautiful face! www.youtube.com/@UNFTR Please leave us a rating and review on Appl
Fri, May 26, 2023
Show Notes [Unf*cking Flashback: Capitasociafascilibdemarxism.]
In today's Show Notes, Max and 99 gear up for the Summer Socialism Series ; they review feedback from the ISMs re-drop, hear from some global Unf*ckers on Socialism, and somehow squeeze in impressions and bad singing. Enjoy! Chapters Intro: 00:00:20 Headlines: 00:09:46 Emails: 00:23:53 Instagram Shout Outs: 00:34:07 YouTube Shout Outs: 00:35:08 Buy Me A Coffee Memberships + Shout Outs: 01:18:03 Outro: 01:22:31 Resources Become a UNFTR Member Subscribe to the UNFTR Newsletter Buy Unf*cking Coffee® Behind The Bastards: Part One- Kissinger Conspirituality Podcast: 148: Marianne Williamson and Asshole Jesus Headlines Annenberg Media: Rep. Barbara Lee faces fundraising titans in the race for CA Senate seat LA Times: Opinion: How to fill Dianne Feinstein's seat if she resigns? The Constitution offers a clear answer Media Roots Radio: The Real Tucker Carlson Part 1 of 2: Who Are The Elites? Unf*cker Recommendations #FHK- The Economist: Henry Kissinger explains how to avoid world war three -- If you like the pod version of #UNFTR, make sure to check out the video version on YouTube where Max shows his beautiful face! www.youtube.com/@UNFTR Please leave us a rating and review on Apple Podcasts: unftr.com/rate and follow us on Facebook , Twitter and Instagram at @UNFTRpod. Visit us online at unftr.com . Join the Unf*cker-run Facebook group: facebook.com/groups/2051537518349565 Buy yourself some Unf*cking Coffee® at shop.unftr.com . Subscribe to Unf*cking The Republic® at u
Sat, May 20, 2023
Unf*cking Flashback: Capitasociafascilibdemarxism Exploring ISMs in the Modern Age.
A while back we did an episode titled Capitasociafascilibdemarxism. It was an expression of the confusion surrounding the casual way insults are hurled in the political sphere. You’re a Marxist and fascist! That’s socialism! Capitalist pig! I’m a libertarian. Anarcho syndicalist. Communist. Minarchist. It’s the original form of identity politics, meant to convey a sweeping ideology to explain our worldviews or criticize others for theirs. We’re going to continue building on this for the foreseeable future because I recently found myself in a precarious position. When asked to define socialism, I realized I didn’t have all that great of an answer. I’ve studied it to a degree. Read a bunch. Engaged in conversations and thought experiments, but when pressed to really nail it down I struggled. And for good reason. Socialism is a concept. A theory. It’s not in and of itself a practice. It’s a framework open to interpretation and constantly influenced by environmental circumstances. So here I am with a podcast and now a video channel. Offering viewpoints and perspectives about socioeconomics and politics and yet incapable of delivering precise definitions that provide clarity on arguably the most important aspects of these disciplines. I suppose many of us suffer from imposter syndrome to an extent, but there’s something about not being schooled in the fundamentals of political science that, honestly, kind of haunts me. I know it’s true that the older we get, the less we understand. And the process of curating these shows an antidote to ignorance that I take very seriously. It’s why we painstakingly source our information and try hard to be nuanced and not reactive. There’s an inescapable emotional element to the work we do. Things that offend our sensibilities tend to elevate passion over reason and I think that’s okay. It’s empathic. But it’s also important to be critical and self aware, to constantly look for holes in our knowledge so we can make better connections. So that’s what this is about. ― In today’s cure for insomnia episode, we explore the origins of the ISMs the pundit class abuses each and every day. We’re focusing on the big ones. Fascism, Socialism, Communism, Marxism and Capitalism. The show covers the theorists who created these theories, touch on the circumstances that inspired their thinking and how far from these concepts we have moved as a society. Plus, we’ll talk through how most of these theories (except fascism) are more alike than we’ve been led to believe. (99 and Manny note: “Not the most scintillating episode, but Max was so excited we didn’t have the heart to tell him.”) Visit the episode's accompanying site page. Resources Truthdig: <a href="https://www.truthdig.com/articles/sheldon-wolin-and-inverted-t
Thu, May 18, 2023
Show Notes [Ep 96: Williamson and Kennedy: Damaging the Brand.]
In today's Show Notes, Max & 99 wade through a litany of comments about the Williamson & Kennedy episode. 99 is nursing a back injury. Max cuts off his own mic by accident. No animals were harmed during the taping. Listen to Williamson and Kennedy: Damaging the Brand. Sorry, not sorry. Chapters Intro: 00:00:20 Headlines: 00:06:48 Emails: 00:40:40 YouTube Shout Outs: 01:20:38 Buy Me A Coffee Memberships + Shout Outs: 01:28:26 Outro: 01:29:47 Headlines NYT: Why Are Americans So Negative About the Economy? Reuters: Migrant crossings drop at U.S.-Mexico border after Title 42 expires CD273: Inside Congressional Committees with Dr. Maya Kornberg Popsci: Make your own seed bombs to garden on the go UNFTR Resources Episode: Capitasociafascilibdemarxism: Exploring ISMs in the Modern Age. -- If you like the pod version of #UNFTR, make sure to check out the video version on YouTube where Max shows his beautiful face! www.youtube.com/@UNFTR Please leave us a rating and review on Apple Podcasts: unftr.com/rate and follow us on Facebook , Twitter and Instagram at @UNFTRpod. Visit us online at unftr.com . Join the Unf*cker-run Facebook group: facebook.com/groups/2051537518349565 Buy yourself some Unf*cking Coffee® at shop.unftr.com . Subscribe to Unf*cking The Republic® at unftr.com/blog to get the essays these episode are framed around sent to your inbox every week. Check out the UNFTR Pod Love playlist on Spotify: spoti.fi/3yzIlUP. Visit our bookshop.org page at bookshop.org/shop/UNFTRpod to find the full UNFTR book list, and find book recommendations from our Unf*ckers at bookshop.org/lists/unf-cker-book-recommendations . Access the UN
Sat, May 13, 2023
Williamson and Kennedy: Damaging the Brand. Sorry, not sorry.
Marianne Williamson and Robert Kennedy Jr. have entered the presidential race and are being cast as the progressives in the field. And to be fair, they’re talking a good game and have all the bullet points memorized. This episode speaks to why this is a disaster for the progressive movement and effectively torches Bernie’s legacy. Chapters Intro: 00:01:04 Post Show Musings: 00:30:43 Outro: 00:36:23 Resources The New York Times: George Santos Is Charged With Fraud and Lying in 13-Count Indictment MSNBC: Texas Rep. Bryan Slaton expelled over ironic groomer allegations Conspirituality Podcast: 148: Marianne Williamson and Asshole Jesus Pew Research: Most Democrats and Republicans Know Biden Is Catholic, but They Differ Sharply About How Religious He Is Real Time with Bill Maher: Marianne Williamson U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics CNN: Anti-vaccine activist Robert F. Kennedy Jr. launches 2024 presidential bid POLITICO: RFK Jr. remarks on Anne Frank, vaccines draw condemnation -- If you like the pod version of #UNFTR, make sure to check out the video version on YouTube where Max shows his beautiful face! www.youtube.com/@UNFTR Please leave us a rating and review on Apple Podcasts: unftr.com/rate and follow us on Facebook , Twitter and Instagram at @UNFTRpod. Visit us online at unftr.com . Join the Unf*cker-run Facebook group: facebook.com/groups/2051537518349565 Buy yourself some Unf*cking Coffee® at shop.unftr.com . Subscribe to Unf*cking The Republic® at unftr.com/blog to get the essays these episode are framed around sent to your inbox every week. Check out the UNFTR Pod Love playlist on Spotify: <a href
Thu, May 11, 2023
Show Notes [Ep 95: Fox Untucked, Noam Undone, Taibbi Unhinged.]
In today’s Show Notes, Max and 99 continue discussing patriarchy, hero worship and Max’s modern nemesis, Tucker Carlson. Listen to Fox Untucked, Noam Undone, Taibbi Unhinged: The Toxic Mix of Money and Patriarchy. Chapters Intro: 00:00:20 Headlines: 00:04:29 Emails: 00:15:15 Instagram Shout Outs: 00:54:53 YouTube Shout Outs: 01:00:22 Buy Me A Coffee Memberships + Donations: 01:21:17 Outro: 01:22:34 Resources Islam Peace Debate feat Mehdi Hassan at Oxford Union Headlines Washington Post: New cars, once part of the American Dream, now out of reach for many Committee on Energy and Commerce: Chairs Rodgers, Griffith Announce Oversight Hearing on Broadband Deployment The White House: The Potential Economic Impacts of Various Debt Ceiling Scenarios UNFTR Resources Dismantling the Oligarchy. | Video , Episode Fox Untucked, Noam Undone, Taibbi Unhinged. | Video , Episode Episode: Amazon (Part 1): The Unfulfillment Company. Episode: A (Mostly) Vegan World: Plantf*ckers Can Save Us All. Episode: New York’s Casual White Supremacy: Losing the Plot on Hochul & Buffalo Bills. Episode: Hochul’s “Gift.” NY Governor Does it Again. Episode: Airline Crisis: Why Is the FAA Failing Under Buttigieg? -- If you like the pod version of #UNFTR, make sure to check out the video version on YouTube where Max shows his beautiful face! www.youtube.com/@UNFTR Please leave us a rating and review on Apple Podcasts: unftr.com/rate and follow us on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/Unfucking-The-Republic
Sat, May 06, 2023
Fox Untucked, Noam Undone, Taibbi Unhinged: The Toxic Mix of Money and Patriarchy.
Can we separate the art from the artist? Do the misdeeds of our political and cultural icons diminish their accomplishments? “Cancel Culture” has cast a shadow over the discourse in the United States. Conservatives are twisting every talking point into a culture war issue in an effort to undermine genuine attempts to elevate our language and our behavior. One common thread that runs through narratives across the spectrum is legacy patriarchal thinking that infects our politics, personal interactions and societal hierarchies. Visit the episode's accompanying site page. Chapters Intro: 00:00:05 Sketch: 00:01:56 Prologue: 00:08:42 Chapter One: Fox, Untucked. 00:14:32 Chapter Two: Matt Taibbi. Show me the money. 00:20:48 Chapter Three: Uncle Noam. Say it isn’t so. 00:28:37 Bring it home, Max. 00:31:32 Post Show Musings: 00:37:20 Outro: 01:13:57 Resources Watson Institute: Blood and Treasure: United States Budgetary Costs and Human Costs of 20 Years of War in Iraq and Syria, 2003-2023 The Bureau of Investigative Journalism: Obama’s covert drone war in numbers: ten times more strikes than Bush Rolling Stone: Clarence Thomas' Billionaire Buddy Has a Vast Collection of Hitler Paintings, Nazi Memorabilia The New York Times: Carlson’s Text That Alarmed Fox Leaders: ‘It’s Not How White Men Fight’ Media Matters for America No Lie with Brian Tyler Cohen: MORE Fox hosts on the chopping block after Tucker's firing Media Matters for America: Fox News wants a massive increase in its cable fees — which will be paid for by all cable subscribers Western Journal: Tucker Carlson Gets Best Job Offer Yet: $100 Million and President of the Company Press Gazette: Revealed: Top 27 highest-earning Substack newsletters generate over $22m a year MSNBC: <a href="https://www.msnbc.com
Thu, May 04, 2023
Show Notes [Ep 94: Dismantling the Oligarchy.]
In today’s Show Notes, Max intentionally fucked up 99's audio in an attempt to assert his dominance. (Yell at him, Unf*ckers.) Other than that, they discuss some salacious headlines—Epstein and Chomsky, anyone? Plus, they cover feedback from Max’s grandiose essay. Enjoy! Listen to Dismantling the Oligarchy: The Political Class is Intellectually Bankrupt. Chapters Intro: 00:00:20 Headlines: 00:05:08 Emails: 00:18:43 YouTube Shout Outs: 00:29:29 Buy Me A Coffee Memberships + Donations: 00:44:10 Reviews: 00:45:52 Outro: 00:49:02 Resources The National: The Alcott (feat. Taylor Swift) Become a Member of UNFTR #UnFoxMyCableBox Headlines American Prestige: Special - The Sudan Crisis w/ Joshua Craze Media Matters for America: Fox News wants a massive increase in its cable fees — which will be paid for by all cable subscribers The New York Times: Gordon Lightfoot, Hitmaking Singer-Songwriter, Is Dead at 84 WSJ: Jeffrey Epstein’s Private Calendar: CIA Director William Burns, Goldman Sachs’s Top Lawyer, Noam Chomsky UNFTR Resources Episode: Phone a Friend: Daniel Bessner + Derek Davison of the American Prestige Podcast. Episode: The Global Order of Money: How exactly does it make the world go ‘round? Episode: What’s the deal with Peter Thiel? Sociopathic billionaire man-child wants to eat the world. Episode: Who To Trust in Media. Unf*cker Recommendations We're Not Wrong Podcast -- If you like the pod version of #UNFTR, make sure to check out the video version on YouTube where Max shows his beautiful face! www.youtube.com/@UNFTR Please leave us a rating and review on Apple Podcasts: unftr.com/rate and follow us on Faceboo
Sat, April 29, 2023
Dismantling the Oligarchy: The Political Class is Intellectually Bankrupt.
This episode explores both the majesty of our democracy and its failures. No matter the issue that motivates you as a voter and citizen, there is an artificial barrier that exists between our desire for change and ability to manifest it. The whims of an increasingly wealthy donor class ensures that each of the major parties play their respective roles in maintaining the status quo. Well intentioned political figures inevitably cave to the pressures of the donor class and unrelenting requirements of campaign funding. The founders of the nation crushed monarchical tyranny with the innovation of temporary rule. Modern oligarchs have found a way to negate this innovation and install a permanent ruling class of elites. Visit the episode's accompanying site page. Resources The New York Review: Hannah Arendt: From an Interview Hoover Institution: Make Ticker Tape Parades Great Again: A Conversation with Peter Thiel Ludwig von Bertalanffy: General System Theory; Foundations, Development, Applications Reuters: Chile's lithium nationalization shines light on emerging tech NPR: Can Brazil's Lula save the Amazon? Book Love John Stuart Mill: On Liberty Jean-Jacques Rousseau: The Social Contract -- If you like the pod version of #UNFTR, make sure to check out the video version on YouTube where Max shows his beautiful face! www.youtube.com/@UNFTR Please leave us a rating and review on Apple Podcasts: unftr.com/rate and follow us on Facebook , Twitter and Instagram at @UNFTRpod. Visit us online at unftr.com . Join the Unf*cker-run Facebook group: facebook.com/groups/2051537518349565 Buy yourself some Unf*cking Coffee® at shop.unftr.com . Subscribe to Unf*cking The Republic® at unftr.com/blog to get the essays these ep
Thu, April 27, 2023
Show Notes [Ep 93: Updated Tax Evasion Figures.]
Max is back for today's Show Notes and there's plenty to review! Him and 99 cover important headlines (Tucker's departure, Biden's re-election, etc.), Updated Tax Evasion Figures feedback and discuss the prosperity doctrine. Listen to Updated Tax Evasion Figures: Lifestyles of the Rich and Fraudulent. Chapters Intro: 00:00:20 Headlines: 00:09:21 Emails: 00:44:37 Facebook Shout Outs: 00:55:58 YouTube Shout Outs: 00:57:52 Buy Me A Coffee Memberships + Donations: 01:08:07 Reviews: 01:11:14 Outro: 01:11:52 Headlines Joint Economic Committee Democrats: How The Default on America Act Hurts the U.S. Economy - State and District Data NPR: Biden warns of rights under threat from Trump and 'MAGA extremists' in reelect launch The Root: Black Twitter Celebrates the Life and Legacy of Harry Belafonte The Wrap: Surprise! Tucker Carlson Draws the Most Democratic Viewers in Key Demo, Even Topping Rachel Maddow Resources Conspirituality Podcast: 148-Marianne Williamson and Asshole Jesus Jeff Sharlet: The Family: The Secret Fundamentalism at the Heart of American Power Jeff Sharlet: C Street: The Fundamentalist Threat to American Democracy Canadaland: The White Saviors Podcast UNFTR Resources Episode: The Prosperity Doctrine: Christ as Capitalist. Video: The Prosperity Doctrine: Christ as Capitalist -- If you like the pod version of #UNFTR, make sure to check out the video version on YouTube where Max shows his beautiful face! www.youtube.com/@UNFTR Please leave us a rating and review on Apple Podcasts: unftr.com/rate and follow us on Facebook , Twitter and Instagram at @UNFTRpod. Visit us online at <a href="https://www.unftr.co
Fri, April 21, 2023
Updated Tax Evasion Figures: Lifestyles of the Rich and Fraudulent.
An explosive new report from the Bureau of Economic Research just landed, and it seems that no one in the media or political class cares. The report pulls together findings from new domestic regulations related to offshore banking and revelations from a treasure trove of documents leaked in the Pandora Papers. The Bureau estimates that billionaires are now holding nearly $4 trillion in assets in offshore accounts, an increase of nearly $1 trillion since the last estimate was published. And it’s likely a good deal more than this. Chapters Intro: 00:00:44 Chapter One: The Magnitude of the Problem. 00:02:52 Chapter Two: Leak. Uncover. Match. Report. 00:10:45 Chapter Three: Assessing the impact. 00:15:11 Post Show Musings: 00:21:57 Outro: 00:33:15 Resources Oxfam: Richest 1% bag nearly twice as much wealth as the rest of the world put together over the past two years Investopedia: The Tax Implications of Opening a Foreign Bank Account NBER: The Offshore World According to FATCA Vox: Biden’s billionaire tax proposal, explained ICIJ: Where are the key Panama Papers figures, seven years later? WTTW: A Growing Worry for Charities: Tax Havens for the Rich OpenSecrets: ‘Dark money’ groups aligned with party leadership steer hundreds of millions of dollars into 2022 federal elections Tax Policy Center: Biden’s Budget Would Raise Taxes On High-Income Households, Cut Them For Many Others United States Senate Committee on Finance: Wyden Investigation Uncovers Major Loophole In Offshore Account Reporting IMF: The True Cost of Global Tax Havens Mirror Online: Rishi Sunak accepte
Wed, April 12, 2023
Show Notes [Ep 92: The End of Affirmative Action.]
In today’s Show Notes, 99 flies solo while Max is on vacation. She covers affirmative action feedback, some housekeeping and YouTube comments. Plus, we get some bonus punch ins from Manny Faces! Listen to The End of Affirmative Action: Civil rights advocates brace for the worst. Chapters Intro: 00:00:20 Headlines: 00:01:35 Emails: 00:09:17 YouTube Shout Outs: 00:17:55 Reviews: 00:23:51 Outro: 00:24:46 Resources Subscribe to the UNFTR Newsletter Shop Unf*cking The Republic and UNFTR Merch Bettina Love: We Want to Do More Than Survive: Abolitionist Teaching and the Pursuit of Educational Freedom Bettina Love: Punished for Dreaming: How School Reform Harms Black Children and How We Heal Headlines Forbes: Twitter Inc. 'No Longer Exists' As Elon Musk Inches Closer To X 'Everything App' Ambitions Food Waste Prevention Week The FADER: Akademiks signs with controversial streaming platform Rumble Unf*cker Recommendations American Constitution Society's Broken Law Podcast (Episode: Dear Senate, Please Prioritize Judges ) Slate's Amicus with Dahlia Lithwick Podcast Crooked's Strict Scrutiny Podcast -- If you like the pod version of #UNFTR, make sure to check out the video version on YouTube where Max shows his beautiful face! www.youtube.com/@UNFTR Please leave us a rating and review on Apple Podcasts: unftr.com/rate and follow us on Facebook , Twitter and Instagram at @UNFTRpod. Visit us online at unftr.com . Join the Unf*cker-run Facebook group: facebook.com/groups/2051537518349565
Sat, April 08, 2023
The End of Affirmative Action: Civil rights advocates brace for the worst.
Affirmative action has a long history in the United States, beginning with the labor movement in the 1930s. But over time, the country and the courts developed a far more narrow definition with respect to the college and university admissions process. Today, the vestiges of affirmative action are once again under attack and likely to fall apart completely under the conservative Trump court. In this episode, we review the history of affirmative action, how it came to be settled law and why it’s likely to be stripped away. Chapters Intro: 00:01:15 Chapter One: Affirmative action has always been hanging by a thread. 00:03:04 Chapter Two: Everyone’s a winner, everyone’s a loser. 00:09:05 Chapter Three: As usual, there’s a villain behind all this. 00:17:16 Chapter Four: The unlevel playing field. 00:23:41 Chapter Five: Bring it home, Max. 00:29:12 Post Show Musings: 00:47:13 Outro: 00:49:10 Resources Smithsonian Magazine: The Origins of the Term ‘Affirmative Action’ National Archives: Executive Order 11478 - Equal employment opportunity in the Federal Government National Archives: Executive Order 8802 - Prohibition of Discrimination in the Defense Industry (1941) The New York Times Magazine: Why Is Affirmative Action in Peril? One Man’s Decision. ACLU: What You Need to Know about Affirmative Action at the Supreme Court ACLU: Meet Edward Blum, the Man Who Wants to Kill Affirmative Action in Higher Education The New York Times: He Took On the Voting Rights Act and Won. Now He’s Taking On Harvard Mother Jones: Exposed: The Dark-Money ATM of the Conservative Movement The Federal Reserve: Wealth Inequality and the Racial Wealth Gap Economic Policy Institute: Understanding black-white disparities in labor market outcomes requires mode
Fri, April 07, 2023
Show Notes [Topical Cream 11: Hochul's “Gift.”]
In today's Show Notes Max and 99 cover headlines ranging from oil to Trump's Indictment, discuss MMT and review some Unf*cker updates. Chapters Intro: 00:00:20 Headlines: 00:04:24 Emails: 00:16:46 Instagram Shout Outs: 00:34:34 YouTube Shout Outs: 00:37:51 Buy Me A Coffee Donations + Memberships: 00:56:03 Outro: 01:07:56t Resources Manny Faces Online , Facebook , Twitter and Instagram Will Watkins on Instagram Headlines Forever Wars: The 'Indispensable Nation' Learns It Might Not Be Great-Power-Competitive The Intercept: The Prosecution of Trump Is a Good First Step. Now Do Bush. OilPrice.com: The Oil Bulls Are Back On The Attack EIA: U.S. crude oil production will increase to new records in 2023 and 2024 UNFTR Resources Episode: Peak Oil: It's a Crude, Crude World. Episode: $5 Gasoline: The Real Culprit Revealed. -- If you like the pod version of #UNFTR, make sure to check out the video version on YouTube where Max shows his beautiful face! www.youtube.com/@UNFTR Please leave us a rating and review on Apple Podcasts: unftr.com/rate and follow us on Facebook , Twitter and Instagram at @UNFTRpod. Visit us online at unftr.com . Join the Unf*cker-run Facebook group: facebook.com/groups/2051537518349565 Buy yourself some Unf*cking Coffee® at shop.unftr.com . Subscribe to Unf*cking The Republic® at unftr.com/blog to get the essays these episode are framed around sent to your inbox every week. Check out the UNFTR Pod Love playlist on Spotify: spoti.fi/3yzIlUP.
Sat, April 01, 2023
Hochul’s “Gift.” NY Governor Does it Again.
NYS Governor Kathy Hochul is once again under scrutiny for vetoing a bill that would have protected unmarked graves of Native People. It’s another in a litany of demonic insults to Native tribes in New York. But this one comes with a kicker. In defending her administration’s policies toward Native territories in NY, she mentions the return of 1,000 acres to the Onondaga Nation. But there’s a whole lot more to that story. Chapters Intro: 00:00:05 Section One: 00:01:08 Section Two: 00:03:57 Section Three: 00:07:13 Section Four: 00:14:33 Outro: 00:16:15 Resources United States Department of the Interior: Remediation of Mudboil Discharges the Tully Valley of Central New York The Daily Orange: Months after land return victory, transfer yet to be realized for Onondaga Nation The New York Times: Clash Over Building Atop Native Burial Sites Angers N.Y. Tribes Governor Kathy Hochul: Largest Returns of Land to an Indigenous Nation by Any State Wikipedia: Solvay Process -- If you like the pod version of #UNFTR, make sure to check out the video version on YouTube where Max shows his beautiful face! www.youtube.com/@UNFTR Please leave us a rating and review on Apple Podcasts: unftr.com/rate and follow us on Facebook , Twitter and Instagram at @UNFTRpod. Visit us online at unftr.com . Join the Unf*cker-run Facebook group: facebook.com/groups/2051537518349565 Buy yourself some Unf*cking Coffee at shop.unftr.com . Subscribe to Unf*cking The Republic on Substack at unftr.substack.com to get the essays these episode are framed around sent to your inbox every week. Check out the UNFTR Pod Love playlist on Spotify: spoti.fi/3yzIlUP. Visit our bookshop.org page at bookshop.org/shop/UNFTRpod to find the full UNFTR book list, and find book recommendations from our Unf*ckers at
Thu, March 30, 2023
Show Notes [Ep 91: Has “Creative Destruction” Reached Silicon Valley?]
99 is back in today's Show Notes! She and Max talk Creative Destruction, YouTube production, and something else that rhymes. Enjoy, Unf*ckers! Chapters Intro: 00:00:20 Headlines: 00:04:41 Emails: 00:15:20 YouTube Shout Outs: 00:37:06 Buy Me A Coffee Donations + Memberships: 00:51:30 Outro: 00:55:50 Resources Sign up for the UNFTR Newsletter Headlines The New York Times: After Doling Out Huge Loans, China Is Now Bailing Out Countries The New York Times: Clash Over Building Atop Native Burial Sites Angers N.Y. Tribes The Daily Orange: Months after land return victory, transfer yet to be realized for Onondaga Nation Al Jazeera: Israel protesters vow to continue until judicial ‘reform’ gone Unf*cker Recommendations Mark Fisher: Capitalist Realism: Is There No Alternative? Ellen Brown The Web of Debt Blog Is This Democracy Podcast UNFTR Resources Podcast: BONUS: An interview with Unkechaug Chief Harry Wallace and Native Coffee Trader’s Amy Wallace. Podcast: The Washington Consensus: Consensus is not consent. Podcast: Playing Chicken with China: How Propaganda Rationalizes Conflict. YouTube: Ayn Rand -- If you like the pod version of #UNFTR, make sure to check out the video version on YouTube where Max shows his beautiful face! www.youtube.com/@UNFTR Please leave us a rating and review on Apple Podcasts: unftr.com/rate and follow us on Facebook , Twitter and Instagram at @UNFTRpod. Visit us online at unftr.com . Join the Unf*cker-run Facebook group: facebook.com/groups/2051537518349565 Buy yourself some Unf*cki
Sat, March 25, 2023
Has “Creative Destruction” Reached Silicon Valley? The Capitalism Trap.
Silicon Valley is in a slump. For all the talk about innovation, there’s a real question as to whether the U.S. tech sector is really all that innovative. Today’s episode digs into this question through the lens of a concept called “Creative Destruction,” a term coined by famed economist Joseph Schumpeter. Chapters Intro: 00:00:04 Chapter One: What is Creative Destruction? 00:05:37 Chapter Two: Innovation or Iteration? 00:11:59 Chapter Three: The so-called disruptors. 00:17:45 Bring it home, Max. 00:24:42 Post Show Musings: 00:27:18 Book Love: 00:28:03 Outro: 00:37:03 Resources TechCrunch: Is Silicon Valley really losing its crown? The Guardian: The disruption con: why big tech’s favourite buzzword is nonsense FRED Economic Data: Federal Funds Effective Rate (FEDFUNDS) Book Love Joseph A. Schumpeter: Capitalism, Socialism, and Democracy Philippe Aghion: The Power of Creative Destruction: Economic Upheaval and the Wealth of Nations -- If you like the pod version of #UNFTR, make sure to check out the video version on YouTube where Max shows his beautiful face! www.youtube.com/@UNFTR Please leave us a rating and review on Apple Podcasts: unftr.com/rate and follow us on Facebook , Twitter and Instagram at @UNFTRpod. Visit us online at unftr.com . Join the Unf*cker-run Facebook group: facebook.com/groups/2051537518349565 Buy yourself some Unf*cking Coffee at shop.unftr.com . Subscribe to Unf*cking The Republic on Substack at unftr.substack.com to get the essays these episode are framed around sent to your inbox every week. Check out the UNFTR Pod Love playlist on Spotify: spoti.fi/3yzIlUP. Visit our bookshop.org page at bookshop.org/shop/UNFTRpod to find the full UNFTR book list, and find book recommendations from our Unf*ckers at bookshop.org/
Thu, March 23, 2023
Show Notes [Ep 90: Contagion!]
In today's Show Notes Max flies solo as 99 is 'Down With Disease.' He covers the new Times piece regarding Carter, makes some Book Love suggestions and responds to YouTube comments. Chapters Intro: 00:00:20 Headlines: 00:02:33 Emails: 00:7:40 Facebook Shout Outs: 00:16:26 YouTube Shout Outs: 00:17:09 Buy Me A Coffee Donations + Memberships: 00:22:31 Outro: 00:023:39 Resources The New York Times: An Untold Story Behind Jimmy Carter’s Presidential Defeat DRILLED Podcast New Season Adam Jentleson: Kill Switch: The Rise of the Modern Senate and the Crippling of American Democracy Howard Zinn: A People's History of the United States Kurt Andersen: Evil Geniuses: The Unmaking of America: A Recent History Nancy MacLean: Democracy in Chains: The Deep History of the Radical Right's Stealth Plan for America Jane Mayer: Dark Money: The Hidden History of the Billionaires Behind the Rise of the Radical Right Michael Grunwald: The New New Deal: The Hidden Story of Change in the Obama Era UNFTR Episode Resources UNFTR YouTube: Weaponizing "Woke." Dumb Right-Wing Tropes. Episode Four. -- If you like the pod version of #UNFTR, make sure to check out the video version on YouTube where Max shows his beautiful face! www.youtube.com/@UNFTR Please leave us a rating and review on Apple Podcasts: unftr.com/rate and follow us on Facebook , Twitter and Instagram at @UNFTRpod. Visit us online at unftr.com . Join the Unf*cker-run Facebook group: facebook.com/groups/2051537518349565 Buy yourself some Unf*cking Coffee at shop.unftr.com . Subscribe to Unf*cking The Republic on Substack at unftr.substack.com to get the essays these episode are framed around sent to your inbox every week. Check out the UNFTR Pod Love playlist on Spotify: <a href="https://open.spotify.com/playlist
Thu, March 23, 2023
Weaponizing “Woke.” Dumb Right-Wing Tropes.
This is the audio version of the fourth installment of our “Dumb Right Wing Tropes” series on YouTube that looks at the word “woke” and how it has been increasingly used by the right to belittle and dehumanize groups on the Left. We look at the origin of the term, the meaning behind it and why being woke is so much better than the alternative. Chapters Intro: 00:00:07 Section One: 00:01:20 Fuck Florida: 00:03:31 Section Two: 00:04:00 Section Three: 00:07:05 Outro: 00:07:43 Resources NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund, Inc.: How Woke Went From "Black" to "Bad" -- If you like the pod version of #UNFTR, make sure to check out the video version on YouTube where Max shows his beautiful face! www.youtube.com/@UNFTR Please leave us a rating and review on Apple Podcasts: unftr.com/rate and follow us on Facebook , Twitter and Instagram at @UNFTRpod. Visit us online at unftr.com . Join the Unf*cker-run Facebook group: facebook.com/groups/2051537518349565 Buy yourself some Unf*cking Coffee at shop.unftr.com . Subscribe to Unf*cking The Republic on Substack at unftr.substack.com to get the essays these episode are framed around sent to your inbox every week. Check out the UNFTR Pod Love playlist on Spotify: spoti.fi/3yzIlUP. Visit our bookshop.org page at bookshop.org/shop/UNFTRpod to find the full UNFTR book list, and find book recommendations from our Unf*ckers at bookshop.org/lists/unf-cker-book-recommendations . Access the UNFTR Musicless feed by following the instructions at unftr.com/accessibility . Unf*cking the Republic is produced by 99 and engineered by Manny Faces Media ( mannyfacesmedia.com ). Original music is by Tom McGovern ( tommcgovern.com ). The show is written and hosted by Max and distributed by 99. Podcast art description: Image of the US Constitution ripped in the middle revealing white text on a blue background that says, "Unf*cking the Republic." Support the show: https://www.bu
Sat, March 18, 2023
Contagion: When Banks Fail.
What goes up, must come down. Unless you’re a banker. In which case it’s up, up and away with bailouts and low interest loans! Today’s episode is an accessible explainer of the unfolding banking crisis. It explains the basics of banking business models, where certain banks have exposure, the regulatory environment and some predictions as to what happens next. Hopefully, you walk away with slightly more insight into the current crisis, why it’s happening and what’s at stake. Chapters : Intro: 00:00:30 Chapter One: All for one, one for all. 00:02:37 Chapter Two: Mark to Market. 00:06:36 Chapter Two and a Half: Fox Never Wastes a Crisis. 00:13:15 Chapter Three: What comes next? 00:15:31 Post Show Musings: 00:20:44 Outro: 00:30:48 Resources Forbes: What To Know About Silicon Valley Bank's Collapse—The Biggest Bank Failure Since 2008 Forexlive: The hold-to-maturity problem is a real headache. The only remedy is stable deposits Lyn Alden: March 2023 Newsletter: A Look at Bank Solvency UBS: US bank turmoil: FAQ and investment implications Wikipedia: September 2019 events in the U.S. repo market Axios: The story behind Founders Fund and the run on Silicon Valley Bank -- If you like the pod version of #UNFTR, make sure to check out the video version on YouTube where Max shows his beautiful face! www.youtube.com/@UNFTR Please leave us a rating and review on Apple Podcasts: unftr.com/rate and follow us on Facebook , Twitter and Instagram at @UNFTRpod. Visit us online at unftr.com . Join the Unf*cker-run Facebook group: facebook.com/groups/2051537518349565 Buy yourself some Unf*cking Coffee at shop.unftr.com . Subscribe to Unf*cking The Republic on Substack at unftr.substack.com to get the essays these episode are framed aroun
Fri, March 17, 2023
Show Notes [Ep 89: The Fed and Inflation.]
In today’s Show Notes, Max and 99 lightly cover bank failures, and Project Willow. Plus a discussion on prison abolition and some closing thoughts on the Federal Reserve. Enjoy, Unf*ckers! Listen to The Fed and Inflation: The stories we tell. Chapters Intro: 00:00:20 Headlines: 00:01:19 Emails: 00:14:07 Facebook Shout Outs: 00:51:41 YouTube Shout Outs: 00:54:07 Buy Me A Coffee Donations + Memberships: 01:00:08 Reviews: 01:06:15 Outro: 01:07:08 Resources Al Jazeera: Willow oil drilling project in Alaska: Here’s what to know Unf*cker Recommendations Rural Urban Bridge Initiative UNFTR Episode Resources UNFTR YouTube: Contagion! When Banks Fail. -- If you like the pod version of #UNFTR, make sure to check out the video version on YouTube where Max shows his beautiful face! www.youtube.com/@UNFTR Please leave us a rating and review on Apple Podcasts: unftr.com/rate and follow us on Facebook , Twitter and Instagram at @UNFTRpod. Visit us online at unftr.com . Join the Unf*cker-run Facebook group: facebook.com/groups/2051537518349565 Buy yourself some Unf*cking Coffee at shop.unftr.com . Subscribe to Unf*cking The Republic on Substack at unftr.substack.com to get the essays these episode are framed around sent to your inbox every week. Check out the UNFTR Pod Love playlist on Spotify: spoti.fi/3yzIlUP. Visit our bookshop.org page at bookshop.org/shop/UNFTRpod to find the full UNFTR book list, and find book recommendations from our Unf*ckers at bookshop.org/lists/unf-cker-book-recommendations . Access the UNFTR Musicless feed by following the instructions at unftr.com/accessibility . Unf*cking the Republic is produced by 99 and engineered by Manny Faces Media ( mannyfacesmedia.com ). Original music is by Tom McGovern (<a
Sat, March 11, 2023
The Fed and Inflation: The stories we tell.
Today, we’re talking about the stories we tell. Narratives that take root and stubbornly refuse to die. The economic version of urban legends. Today’s culprit is the Federal Reserve. I watched the two-hour testimony of Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell, so you don’t have to. And it was a masterclass in euphemisms intended to cover the Fed’s desire to put more people out of work. Two million of you, to be exact. So let’s talk about stories and legends. Chapters Intro: 00:01:05 Chapter One: In God we trust. In the consumer, not so much. 00:01:25 Chapter Two: Enter the Federal Reserve. 00:08:47 Chapter Three: Crossing the river. 00:16:58 Bring it home, Max. 00:24:46 Post Show Musings: 00:30:03 Book Love: 00:31:22 Outro: 00:47:35 Resources St. Louis Fed: The Fed and the Dual Mandate Politico: The Senate’s crypto queen has a sweeping new Bitcoin bill The New York Times: Fed Chair Opens Door to Faster Rate Moves and a Higher Peak Americans for Tax Reform: Student Loan Bailout Applicants Will Spend More on Vacation, Drugs, and Gambling Intelligent: Nearly half of student loan forgiveness recipients will use relief to go on vacation St. Louis Fed: CPI Vs. PCE Inflation: Choosing a Standard Measure UNFTR Resources Podcast: Student Debt: Hey Boomer, STFU. Podcast: Biden’s Big Student Debt Announcement: PITOTWIU for the Indebted Masses. YouTube: Student Debt. The Supreme Court and GOP team up against the working class. Book Love Robert J. Shiller: Narrative Economics: How Stories Go Viral and Drive Major Economic Events Post Show Musings Cornell: AI vs. AI. Two chatbots talking to each other Clear + Vivid Podcast: Alan chats with the bots -- If you like the pod v
Fri, March 10, 2023
Show Notes [Ep 88: James Earl Carter (Epilogue).]
In today’s Show Notes, Max and 99 round out the Carter series; cover more Headlines (the TN drag bill, Nord Stream 2 and Chris Hedges), and read some Facebook and YouTube comments. Chapters Intro: 00:00:20 Headlines: 00:03:52 Social Feedback: 00:37:47 YouTube Feedback: 00:45:22 Buy Me A Coffee Donations + Memberships: 00:59:30 Show Notes: 01:09:41 Resources NPR: The anti-drag bills sweeping the U.S. are straight from history's playbook The New York Times: Intelligence Suggests Pro-Ukrainian Group Sabotaged Pipelines, U.S. Officials Say The Chris Hedges Report: Lynching the Deplorables Dan G's UNFTR Video -- If you like the pod version of #UNFTR, make sure to check out the video version on YouTube where Max shows his beautiful face! www.youtube.com/@UNFTR Please leave us a rating and review on Apple Podcasts: unftr.com/rate and follow us on Facebook , Twitter and Instagram at @UNFTRpod. Visit us online at unftr.com . Join the Unf*cker-run Facebook group: facebook.com/groups/2051537518349565 Buy yourself some Unf*cking Coffee at shop.unftr.com . Subscribe to Unf*cking The Republic on Substack at unftr.substack.com to get the essays these episode are framed around sent to your inbox every week. Check out the UNFTR Pod Love playlist on Spotify: spoti.fi/3yzIlUP. Visit our bookshop.org page at bookshop.org/shop/UNFTRpod to find the full UNFTR book list, and find book recommendations from our Unf*ckers at bookshop.org/lists/unf-cker-book-recommendations . Access the UNFTR Musicless feed by following the instructions at unftr.com/accessibility . Unf*cking the Republic is produced by 99 and engineered by Manny Faces Media ( mannyfacesmedia.com ). Original music is by Tom McGover
Sat, March 04, 2023
James Earl Carter (Epilogue).
President Carter ran out his final year in office from the confines of the Oval Office as he worked night and day to free the hostages in Iran. After 444 days, they were released on the day his successor was inaugurated. It was a bittersweet and undeserving end for an all-too-brief tenure. The final installment of our series examines the events of 1980 and offers some final reflections on Jimmy Carter the man, and his legacy. Chapters Chapter Nine: 00:00:01 Epilogue: 00:11:08 Outro: 00:17:39 Resources The New York Times: Jimmy Carter’s Unheralded Legacy Book Love Kai Bird: The Outlier: The Unfinished Presidency of Jimmy Carter -- If you like the pod version of #UNFTR, make sure to check out the video version on YouTube where Max shows his beautiful face! www.youtube.com/@UNFTR Please leave us a rating and review on Apple Podcasts: unftr.com/rate and follow us on Facebook , Twitter and Instagram at @UNFTRpod. Visit us online at unftr.com . Join the Unf*cker-run Facebook group: facebook.com/groups/2051537518349565 Buy yourself some Unf*cking Coffee at shop.unftr.com . Subscribe to Unf*cking The Republic on Substack at unftr.substack.com to get the essays these episode are framed around sent to your inbox every week. Check out the UNFTR Pod Love playlist on Spotify: spoti.fi/3yzIlUP. Visit our bookshop.org page at bookshop.org/shop/UNFTRpod to find the full UNFTR book list, and find book recommendations from our Unf*ckers at bookshop.org/lists/unf-cker-book-recommendations . Access the UNFTR Musicless feed by following the instructions at unftr.com/accessibility . Unf*cking the Republic is produced by 99 and engineered by Manny Faces Media ( mannyfacesmedia.com ). Original music is by Tom McGovern ( tommcgovern.com ). The show is written and hosted by Max and distributed by 99. Podcast art description: Image of the
Fri, March 03, 2023
Show Notes [Ep 87: James Earl Carter (Part Three).]
In today’s Show Notes, Max and 99 talk even more about Carter; continue with the Headlines segment (covering a vegan news story, student debt and a rebuttal to Seymour Hersh), and hear from some all star Unf*ckers! Enjoy. Listen to James Earl Carter (Part Three) . Chapters Intro: 00:00:20 Headlines: 00:15:02 Emails: 00:41:48 Social Shout Outs: 00:47:59 Buy Me A Coffee Donations + Memberships: 00:53:47 Reviews: 00:53:47 Outro: 01:09:09 Resources New Unf*cking the Republic and UNFTR Merch UNFTR YouTube Videos: "Inner City." Dumb Right Wing Tropes. Episode One , "Back the Blue" Dumb Right-Wing Tropes. Episode Two and Immigration. What the United States Gets Wrong . VegNews: Miyoko Schinner Removed as CEO From the $260 Million Vegan Cheese Brand That Bears Her Name New York Times: Supreme Court Skeptical of Biden’s Student Loan Cancellation Plan OSINT & Analysis by Oliver Alexander: Blowing Holes in Seymour Hersh's Pipe Dream UNFTR Facebook Group UNFTR Bookshop -- If you like the pod version of #UNFTR, make sure to check out the video version on YouTube where Max shows his beautiful face! www.youtube.com/@UNFTR Please leave us a rating and review on Apple Podcasts: unftr.com/rate and follow us on Facebook , Twitter and Instagram at @UNFTRpod. Visit us online at unftr.com . Join the Unf*cker-run Facebook group: facebook.com/groups/2051537518349565 Buy yourself some Unf*cking Coffee at shop.unftr.com . Subscribe to Unf*cking The Republic on Substack at unftr.substack.com to get the essays these episode are framed around sent to your inbox every week. Check out the UNFTR Pod Love playlist on Spotify: <a href="https://open.spotify.com/pla
Thu, March 02, 2023
Spy Balloons: The ultimate distraction.
Somehow, we’re still talking about spy balloons. Long-forgotten are the revelations of Edward Snowden, who uncovered mass surveillance programs under the NSA and other U.S. agencies. Since that time, we’ve come to learn more and more about the capabilities of multiple U.S. agencies to surveil its own citizens. The spy balloon narrative overshadows the steady erosion of civil liberties in our own backyard. Resources James Fallows: What the Hell is Happening in the Sky? The Soldiers Project: How Many US Military Bases Are There in the World? The Guardian: US intelligence spending has doubled since 9/11, top secret budget reveals South China Morning Post: Edward Snowden: US government has been hacking Hong Kong and China for years Spiegel: European Union Spiegel: NSA Spied on European Union Offices WikiLeaks: Vault 7: CIA Hacking Tools Revealed The Intercept: NSA Blimp Spied in the United States Truthdig: Truthdigger of the Week: Alexa O’Brien UNFTR YouTube: Much Ado About a Spy Balloon -- If you like the pod version of #UNFTR, make sure to check out the video version on YouTube where Max shows his beautiful face! www.youtube.com/@UNFTR Please leave us a rating and review on Apple Podcasts: unftr.com/rate and follow us on Facebook , Twitter and Instagram at @UNFTRpod. Visit us online at unftr.com . Join the Unf*cker-run Facebook group: facebook.com/groups/2051537518349565 Buy yourself some Unf*cking Coffee at shop.unftr.com . Subscribe to Unf*cking The Republic on Substack at unftr.substack
Mon, February 27, 2023
James Earl Carter (Part Three).
On the heels of multiple domestic and foreign policy successes, the Carter Administration headed into 1979 brimming with hope and optimism. And the American people were mostly supportive of their humble president who helped return some dignity and sanity to the Oval Office. But trouble was brewing from within the Democratic ranks, the global economy and several bad actors abroad that would coalesce seemingly overnight to challenge the president. Chapters Intro: 00:00:25 Chapter Six: Carter on the World Stage. 00:01:54 Chapter Seven: Fallows’ Peripeteia. 00:16:08 Chapter Eight: Mudslide. 00:24:15 Outro: 00:41:53 Resources Office of the Historian, Foreign Service Institute: The Panama Canal and the Torrijos-Carter Treaties The New York Times: Jimmy Carter’s Unheralded Legacy The Atlantic: The Passionless Presidency Vox: The Republican myth of Ronald Reagan and the Iran hostages, debunked Politico: The Humiliating Handshake and the Near-Fistfight that Broke the Democratic Party Brookings: Today’s global economy is eerily similar to the 1970s, but governments can still escape a stagflation episode HISTORY: Jimmy Carter and Leonid Brezhnev sign the SALT-II nuclear treaty Book Love Kai Bird: The Outlier: The Unfinished Presidency of Jimmy Carter David Rockefeller: Memoirs -- If you like the pod version of #UNFTR, make sure to check out the video version on YouTube where Max shows his beautiful face! www.youtube.com/@UNFTR Please leave us a rating and review on Apple Podcasts: unftr.com/rate and follow us on Facebook , Twitter and Instagra
Fri, February 24, 2023
Show Notes [Ep 86: James Earl Carter (Part Two).]
In today’s Show Notes, Max and 99 discuss the recent Jimmy Carter news, review Carter Part Two feedback, and introduce a new recurring segment for Show Notes. Listen to James Earl Carter (Part Two) . Chapters Intro: 00:00:20 Headlines: 00:01:23 Emails: 00:27:28 Social Shout Outs: 00:35:24 Buy Me A Coffee Donations + Memberships: 00:39:26 Reviews: 00:42:43 Outro: 00:44:19 Resources The Lever: Driving The Narrative Seymour Hersh on Substack: How America Took Out The Nord Stream Pipeline Seymour M. Hersh: Reporter: A Memoir UNFTR Neoliberalism YouTube Series UNFTR Dumb Right Wing Tropes YouTube Series Unf*cker Recommendations Mary L. Trump: The Reckoning: Our Nation's Trauma and Finding a Way to Heal -- If you like the pod version of #UNFTR, make sure to check out the video version on YouTube where Max shows his beautiful face! www.youtube.com/@UNFTR Please leave us a rating and review on Apple Podcasts: unftr.com/rate and follow us on Facebook , Twitter and Instagram at @UNFTRpod. Visit us online at unftr.com . Join the Unf*cker-run Facebook group: facebook.com/groups/2051537518349565 Buy yourself some Unf*cking Coffee at shop.unftr.com . Subscribe to Unf*cking The Republic on Substack at unftr.substack.com to get the essays these episode are framed around sent to your inbox every week. Check out the UNFTR Pod Love playlist on Spotify: spoti.fi/3yzIlUP. Visit our bookshop.org page at bookshop.org/shop/UNFTRpod to find the full UNFTR book list, and find book recommendations from our Unf*ckers at bookshop.org/lists/unf-cker-book-recommendations . Access the UNFTR Musicless fee
Sat, February 18, 2023
James Earl Carter (Part Two).
In Part One of our series, we discussed the persistent attempts on the right to draw parallels between the Carter and Biden administrations. We looked at the rise of James Earl Carter from humble beginnings on a farm, to the Naval Academy and into the governor’s office in Georgia. Each step of his early journey offers insight into the development of his worldview and governing style. In Part Two, we do a deep dive into the first half of the White House years to understand the challenges that faced the new administration, some significant early legislative wins and the undercurrent of trouble brewing on the horizon. Chapters Intro: 00:00:32 Chapter Three: A President assembles his team. 00:01:07 Chapter Four: It was a very good year. 00:09:59 Chapter Five: The Lure of the Siren’s Song. 00:24:56 Post Show Musings: 00:33:15 Outro: 00:49:29 Resources Office of the Historian, Foreign Service Institute: The Panama Canal and the Torrijos-Carter Treaties The New York Times: Jimmy Carter’s Unheralded Legacy The Atlantic: The Passionless Presidency Vox: The Republican myth of Ronald Reagan and the Iran hostages, debunked Politico: The Humiliating Handshake and the Near-Fistfight that Broke the Democratic Party Brookings: Today’s global economy is eerily similar to the 1970s, but governments can still escape a stagflation episode Book Love Kai Bird: The Outlier: The Unfinished Presidency of Jimmy Carter David Rockefeller: Memoirs -- If you like the pod version of #UNFTR, make sure to check out the video version on YouTube where Max shows his beautiful face! www.youtube.com/@UNFTR Please leave us a rating and review on Apple Podcasts: unftr.com/rate and follow us on Facebook , Twitter and <a href="https://www.instag
Thu, February 16, 2023
Show Notes [Ep 85: James Earl Carter (Part One).]
In today's Show Notes, 99 returns! And her audio is a little fucky (sorry). Max and 99 review Carter feedback, Max has plenty of aggressive diatribes, and they discuss what's to come on YouTube and the main feed. Listen to James Earl Carter (Part One) . Chapters Intro: 00:00:23 Emails: 00:04:34 YouTube: 00:35:24 Facebook Shout Outs: 00:46:35 Instagram Shout Outs: 00:49:13 Buy Me A Coffee Donations + Memberships: 00:51:59 Outro: 00:56:16 Resources Code Switch Podcast Pod Save The People CounterSpin UNFTR YouTube: Biden's State of the Union. Has the "Bernie Effect" finally taken hold? Elise Gravel: Killer Underwear Invasion!: How to Spot Fake News, Disinformation & Conspiracy Theories UNFTR YouTube: The (Fake) Debt Ceiling Crisis UNFTR Episode: The (Fake) Debt Ceiling Crisis Arkansas SB43 Arkansas Advocate: “Gutted” Arkansas bill no longer targets drag performers or LGBTQ community, activists say -- If you like the pod version of #UNFTR, make sure to check out the video version on YouTube where Max shows his beautiful face! www.youtube.com/@UNFTR Please leave us a rating and review on Apple Podcasts: unftr.com/rate and follow us on Facebook , Twitter and Instagram at @UNFTRpod. Visit us online at unftr.com . Join the Unf*cker-run Facebook group: facebook.com/groups/2051537518349565 Buy yourself some Unf*cking Coffee at shop.unftr.com . Subscribe to Unf*cking The Republic on Substack at unftr.substack.com to get the essays these episode are framed around sent to your inbox every week. Check out the UNFTR Pod Love playlist on Spotify: spoti.fi/
Tue, February 14, 2023
The (Fake) Debt Ceiling Crisis: The GOP’s Dangerous Gamble.
The debt ceiling crisis is a completely manufactured, self-inflicted wound that only the GOP sees fit to weaponize when it suits them. Forget the fact that it has been raised 78 times since 1960, 49 of which were under a Republican president—the House Republicans are determined to derail Biden’s economic gains any way they can. Today’s Topical Cream breaks down the fallacy of the debate and puts our budget in context with our debt. Visit the episode's accompanying site page . Chapters Intro: 00:00:34 Section One: 00:00:58 Section Two: 00:04:11 Section Three: 00:09:31 Outro: 00:12:30 Resources The White House: The Debt Ceiling: An Explainer Congressional Budget Office: Federal Debt: A Primer Center on Budget and Policy Priorities: Policy Basics: Deficits, Debt, and Interest U.S. Department of the Treasury: Debt Limit ProPublica: Donald Trump Built a National Debt So Big (Even Before the Pandemic) That It’ll Weigh Down the Economy for Years Investopedia: Why China Buys U.S. Debt With Treasury Bonds NPR: Center on Budget and Policy Priorities: House Republicans’ Pledge to Cut Appropriated Programs to 2022 Level Would Have Severe Effects, Particularly for Non-Defense Programs CNBC: As U.S. hits debt ceiling, here’s what it could mean for Social Security and Medicare National Committee to Preserve Social Security and Medicare: Raising The Debt Limit: Impact on Social Security and Medicare Politico: ‘Intellectually bankrupt’: Biden allies blast GOP debt-limit backup plan Center on Budget and Policy Priorities: <a href="https://www.cbpp.org/blog/5-reasons
Sat, February 11, 2023
James Earl Carter (Part One).
Today we begin our look back at the brief but remarkable tenure of President Jimmy Carter. The late 70s is a fascinating period on a number of levels. Civil Rights groups had fractured into several pieces, the Vietnam era had come to a disgraceful close and the economy was beginning to falter after more than two decades of astounding post-war growth for the middle class in particular. The GOP’s grip on Washington was tenuous after Nixon’s resignation and the country wasn’t sure whether Ford was up to the task. For their part, Democrats were still healing from the ‘68 Convention and being sidelined by Nixon’s GOP. Out of the fog came a slow talking southern boy named Jimmy who shocked the world and secured the Democratic nomination for president. This is his origin story. Chapters Intro: 00:02:04 Chapter One: The Origin Story. 00:08:18 Chapter Two: A Good Old Boy Bids for the White House. 00:14:29 Post Show Musings: 00:23:22 Outro: 00:30:06 Resources Office of the Historian, Foreign Service Institute: The Panama Canal and the Torrijos-Carter Treaties The New York Times: Jimmy Carter’s Unheralded Legacy The Atlantic: The Passionless Presidency Vox: The Republican myth of Ronald Reagan and the Iran hostages, debunked Politico: The Humiliating Handshake and the Near-Fistfight that Broke the Democratic Party Brookings: Today’s global economy is eerily similar to the 1970s, but governments can still escape a stagflation episode Book Love Kai Bird: The Outlier: The Unfinished Presidency of Jimmy Carter David Rockefeller: Memoirs -- If you like the pod version of #UNFTR, make sure to check out the video version on YouTube where Max shows his beautiful face! www.youtube.com/@UNFTR Please leave us a rating and review on Apple Podcasts: unftr.com/rate and follow us on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/Unfucking-The-Republic-102319714930389
Sat, February 04, 2023
Big Tech Layoffs: The Madness of Capitalism.
GDP growth was stronger than expected. Unemployment remains historically low. Supply chain issues continue to work themselves out. China is entering a period of strong projected growth. The Fed has even signaled that it will slow the pace of interest rate increases. And yet, the tech sector is laying people off like you read about? What’s behind the doom and gloom in Silicon Valley and some areas on Wall Street? We look into the recent spate of mass layoffs and try to square the tech industry narrative with real economic facts on the ground. But we begin with an update from Max on what’s in the works and behind our recent slowdown in episodes. Chapters Intro: 00:00:53 Section One: 00:06:26 Section Two: 00:09:39 Section Three: 00:11:25 Section Four: 00:17:02 Outro: 00:19:30 Resources BNN Bloomberg: San Francisco Mayor Warns of Budget Deficit as Remote Work Hits Revenue The New York Times: Laid Off in Your Living Room: The Chaos of Remote Job Cuts Bloomberg: Big Tech Layoffs Are Hitting Diversity and Inclusion Jobs Hard Forbes: For Laid-Off Tech Workers On H-1B Visas, There Aren’t Enough Jobs To Go Around The New York Times: For Tech Companies, Years of Easy Money Yield to Hard Times NPR: 5 takeaways from the massive layoffs hitting Big Tech right now The New York Times: How Tech Won the Pandemic and Now May Never Lose Yale University: The Silicon Valley Syndrome Fast Company: These types of tech workers are most likely to get laid off Mark Zuckerberg on Facebook The New York Times: ‘A Perfect Positive Storm’: Bonkers Dollars for Big Tech Forbes: <a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/jonathanponciano/2023/01/23/spotify-alphabet-and-meta-lead-tech-stock-surge-af
Thu, January 26, 2023
Show Notes [Ep 84: Who To Trust In Media + Topical Cream 7: Airline Crisis]
Max is left to (mainly) fend for himself in this 99-less episode of Show Notes, as she takes a well deserved break. While her presence is missed, it's always worth hearing Max read listener feedback from Unf*ckers who disagree with him. This ep covers the Who to Trust in Media episode and the Airline Crisis Topical Cream (ew). Listen to Who To Trust In Media Listen to Airline Crisis: Why Is the FAA Failing Under Buttigieg? Chapters Intro 00:00:20 Housekeeping: 00:05:07 Emails: 00:09:35 Outro: 00:40:36 Unf*cker Recommendations 5-4 Pod Strict Scrutiny Know Your Enemy Cafe Podcasts Have You Heard Podcast DRILLED Podcast Gaslit Nation The Devil and Sonny Liston by Nick Tosches Bad Faith Podcast We Dissent The Scathing Atheist Red Nation Podcast THIS IS REVOLUTION Podcast Pod Damn America -- If you like the pod version of #UNFTR, make sure to check out the video version on YouTube where Max shows his beautiful face! www.youtube.com/@UNFTR Please leave us a rating and review on Apple Podcasts: unftr.com/rate and follow us on Facebook , Twitter and Instagram at @UNFTRpod. Visit us online at unftr.com . Join the Unf*cker-run Facebook group: facebook.com/groups/2051537518349565 Buy yourself some Unf*cking Coffee at shop.unftr.com . Subscribe to Unf*cking The Republic on Substack at unftr.substack.com to get the essays these episode are framed around sent to your inbox every week. Check out the UNFTR Pod Love playlist on Spotify: <a href=
Sat, January 21, 2023
Airline Crisis: Why Is the FAA Failing Under Buttigieg?
Pete Buttigieg is in the news a lot for a Transportation Secretary. Either he’s a media darling the democratic establishment is keen to keep in the public eye, or he’s really bad at his job. Methinks it’s both. Today’s Topical Cream examines Mayor Pete’s borderline catastrophic run as head of the agency and the fallout from the multiple airline crises that have plagued his tenure. There’s no doubt this guy wants to be POTUS, but what exactly is he qualified to do other than burn progressives? Chapters Intro: 00:00:16 Section One: 00:00:49 Section Two: 00:09:53 Outro: 00:15:30 Resources CNN: Massive Southwest Airlines disruption leaves customers stranded and call centers swamped Macrotrends: Southwest Airlines Gross Profit 2010-2022 Simply Flying: NTSB Predecessor: A Brief History Of The Civil Aeronautics Board CNBC: A severe pilot shortage in the U.S. leaves airlines scrambling for solutions Accountable.US: The Airline Industry's Self-Inflicted Labor Shortage Is Behind Bureau of Transportation Statistics: Air Travel Consumer Report: Consumer Complaints Against Airlines Rise More Than 300 Percent Above Pre-Pandemic Levels Economic Policy Institute: Flying Blind: The Failure of Airline Deregulation The American Prospect: The Airline Bailout Is the CARES Act’s Biggest Debacle AttorneyGeneral.gov: Airline Accountability and Increased Consumer Protection BIG by Matt Stoller: What Will Come of the Nightmare Travel Summer of 2022? -- If you like the pod version of #UNFTR, make sure to check out the video version on YouTube where Max shows his beautiful face! www.youtube.com/@UNFTR Please leave us a rating and review on Apple Podcasts: unftr.com/rate and follow us on <a hre
Wed, January 18, 2023
Who To Trust in Media.
We’re gearing up and doubling down in 2023. Today, Max makes a couple of big announcements (big to us, at least) before musing on the state of the media. The balance of the show is dedicated to highlighting other great work that we admire and follow. We are all the sum of our experiences. These experiences help cultivate our individual biases. As consumers of UNFTR—and in light of one of our announcements—we thought it appropriate to reveal the media sources we trust. We’re anxious to hear your thoughts as well, so let us know who you rely on for political news and information. Chapters Sketch: 00:00:05 Intro: 00:03:35 Post Show Musings: 00:36:18 Resources Pew Research Center: News Platform Fact Sheet Pew Research Center: Measuring News Consumption in a Digital Era Chartable: Apple Podcasts — United States of America — News Slate: The New Nightmare Scenario for the Media Naomi Klein Cornel West Yanis Varoufakis Jeff Sharlet The Jacobin Mother Jones The New York Times The Marshall Project Al Jazeera Murtaza Hussain Peter Maass Laura Flynn Jeremy Scahill Ryan Grim Abby Martin Spencer Ackerman Laura Flanders David Sirota Thom Hartmann Amy Goodman Christiane Amanpour Throughline <a href="https://maj
Sat, January 07, 2023
Public Education: Parts One, Two, and Three.
Public education is a universal part of the American experience. Every one of us interacts with our system of education whether directly or through taxation. Since the nation's founding, a commitment to universal education has been a pillar of our society. More recently, however, public education has come under attack from several places. Some of the criticism is fair. But some of the sharpest attacks have been coordinated by far right extremists determined to break the system and replace it with private enterprises, faith-based curriculums or even...nothing. This episode combines our previous three-part series into one thorough, albeit incomplete, history of public education and the challenges it faces. Chapters Intro: 00:00:48 Chapter One: Framing the Inquiry: 00:05:40 Chapter Two: The Structure and Language of Education: 00:15:22 Chapter Three: The Opposition: 00:26:13 Chapter Four: Phase One: Expansion. The 16th Lot. 00:40:50 Chapter Five: Phase Two: Reconstruction. 00:46:27 Chapter Six: Phase Three: Desegregation. 00:56:24 Chapter Seven: Phase Four. Privatization. 01:12:09 Chapter Eight: Vouchers are stupid and racist and they don’t work. 01:19:21 Chapter Nine: Arne Dunks on Public Education. 01:30:16 Chapter Ten: The Propaganda Machine in Full Swing: 01:45:57 Chapter Eleven: Bring it home, Max. 01:58:12 Resources World Socialist Web Site: 2.6 million US educators and staff quit public K-12 and higher education jobs during pandemic National Center for Education Statistics: Public School Enrollment The Nation’s Report Card: Student Performance Across Subjects National Center for Education Statistics: Total number of public school teachers and percentage of public school teachers in a union or employees' association, by selected school characteristics: 2015–16 Resilient Educator: Your Guide to Education Lingo Learning Journals: What Are the Different Pedagogical Approaches to Learning? Rasmussen University: <a href="https://www.rasmussen.edu/degrees/e
Wed, January 04, 2023
Show Notes [Ep 82: The Black & Jewish Divide in America + Quickie 14: How New York F*cked the Country.]
In this very special Show Notes, Max and 99 are joined in-person by the one and only Manny Faces! They cover some Unf*cker feedback from the last two episodes, reflect on what was covered in 2022, and tease what’s to come in 2023. Listen to The Black & Jewish Divide in America. Listen to Quickie 14: How New York F*cked the Country. Chapters Intro: 00:00:20 Emails: 00:07:02 Facebook Shout Outs: 01:05:38 Instagram Shout Outs: 01:07:5 Buy Me A Coffee Donations + Memberships: 01:09:17 Reviews: 01:14:09 Outro: 01:14:51 Resources UNFTR: The Economics of Racism: Bootstraps, Black Banks and Redlining. Trust Me Podcast: Torah Bontrager – Growing Up Amish, Part 1: Corporal Punishment & Rumspringa -- If you like #UNFTR, please leave us a rating and review on Apple Podcasts: unftr.com/rate and follow us on Facebook , Twitter and Instagram at @UNFTRpod. Visit us online at unftr.com . Join the Unf*cker-run Facebook group: facebook.com/groups/2051537518349565 Buy yourself some Unf*cking Coffee at shop.unftr.com . Subscribe to Unf*cking The Republic on Substack at unftr.substack.com to get the essays these episode are framed around sent to your inbox every week. Check out the UNFTR Pod Love playlist on Spotify: spoti.fi/3yzIlUP. Visit our bookshop.org page at bookshop.org/shop/UNFTRpod to find the full UNFTR book list, and find book recommendations from our Unf*ckers at bookshop.org/lists/unf-cker-book-recommendations . Access the UNFTR Musicless feed by following the instructions at unftr.com/accessibility . Unf*cking the Republic is produced by 99 and engineered by Manny Faces Media ( mannyfacesmedia.com ). Original music is by Tom McGovern ( tommcgovern.com ). The show is written and hosted by Max and distributed by 99. Podcast art description: Image of t
Fri, December 30, 2022
Phone a Friend: John Kane of Let's Talk Native.
Welcome to a very special edition of Phone a Friend, where we reach out to experts, authors and intellectuals who know way more shit about certain subjects than I will ever know. Now this one is a real home game and should prove to be both informative and a lot of fun. He is a Mohawk broadcaster hiding out on Seneca territory in Western New York. John Kane has been the face and voice of resistance and advocacy for decades. He's the host of a podcast called Let's Talk Native, which we've covered before, and Resistance Radio on WBAI and WPFW in Washington. We've collaborated with John a handful of times over the years. He's a man of great principle who calls truth to power not only in the United States, but to power structures within Native territories as well. There are a few things we cover with John today, including some rather big news here in New York that directly involves him. Unf*ckers have heard some of his commentary before, but let me warn you that that was scripted. And unscripted John is a force of nature, so hang on. Access the full transcript on Substack. Resources Let's Talk Native with John Kane Resistance Radio with John Kane Let's Talk Native Patreon John Kane on Facebook and YouTube -- If you like #UNFTR, please leave us a rating and review on Apple Podcasts: unftr.com/rate and follow us on Facebook , Twitter and Instagram at @UNFTRpod. Visit us online at unftr.com . Join the Unf*cker-run Facebook group: facebook.com/groups/2051537518349565 Buy yourself some Unf*cking Coffee at shop.unftr.com . Subscribe to Unf*cking The Republic on Substack at unftr.substack.com to get the essays these episode are framed around sent to your inbox every week. Check out the UNFTR Pod Love playlist on Spotify: spoti.fi/3yzIlUP. Visit our bookshop.org page at bookshop.org/shop/UNFTRpod to find the full UNFTR book list, and find book recommendations from our Unf*ckers at bookshop.org/lists/unf-cker-book-recomm
Fri, December 23, 2022
How New York F*cked the Country: New York’s Unelected Leadership Void.
From failing to run opposition research on the most fraudulent candidate ever to colluding with Republicans on key judgeships, the NY Democratic Party is rife with mediocre careerists more interested in the status quo than winning elections. In this Quickie we offer three stories that demonstrate just how incompetent the NY Dems are and how they’re basically responsible for losing control of the House. Chapters Intro: 00:00:18 1. Malfeasance: The Talented Mr. Santos: 00:03:09 2. Malpractice: Absolute Power: 00:08:25 3. Malodorous: Judging by the Judges: 00:14:07 Resources CNN Politics: House of Representatives Results: GOP wins the majority The New York Times: Who Is Rep.-Elect George Santos? His Résumé May Be Largely Fiction. The New York Times: Democrats Lose Control of N.Y. Election Maps, as Top Court Rejects Appeal Brennan Center: What Went Wrong with New York’s Redistricting The Intercept: AOC: The New York State Democratic Party’s Corruption May Have Cost Democrats the House City & State New York: The 3 nominees progressives won’t tolerate on New York’s highest court New York Post: Nassau County GOP leader Joseph Cairo’s daughter nominated for NY supreme court -- If you like #UNFTR, please leave us a rating and review on Apple Podcasts: unftr.com/rate and follow us on Facebook , Twitter and Instagram at @UNFTRpod. Visit us online at unftr.com . Join the Unf*cker-run Facebook group: facebook.com/groups/2051537518349565 Buy yourself some Unf*cking Coffee at shop.unftr.com . Subscribe to Unf*cking The Republic on Substack at unftr.substack.com to get the essays these episode are framed around se
Sun, December 18, 2022
The Black & Jewish Divide in America: The Fractured "Grand Alliance."
Fascism, Nazism and antisemitism are back in the headlines. Conservative media and the New Right are relaxing with popcorn and settling in to watch as tensions between the Black and Jewish communities increase once again. Today’s episode traces the legacy of conflict between Black and Jewish people in the United States from the so-called “Grand Alliance” of the Civil Rights era, the Black Power and Consciousness movements and the emergence of Zionism in the U.S. to the recent explosion in pop culture. Who stands to gain from this fracture should be painfully obvious, but that doesn’t make for good television. Chapters Intro: 00:00:01 Chapter One: The ties that bind us together. 00:06:54 Chapter Two: The lies that pull us apart. 00:18:30 Chapter Three: Israel. 00:27:09 Chapter Four: Bringing It Home. 00:37:26 Post Show Musings: 00:43:39 Outro: 01:26:01 Resources Vanity Fair: The Secret History of Gavin McInnes UNFTR: The Economics of Racism: Bootstraps, Black Banks and Redlining. Pew Research Center: Economics and well-being among U.S. Jews Observer: The Music Industry’s Long History of Dividing Blacks and Jews National Archive: The Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC) BBC: Leopold II: Belgium 'wakes up' to its bloody colonial past The New York Times: What to Know About Irving’s Antisemitic Movie Post and the Fallout Conspirituality Podcast: Ye, Balenciaga, & Twilight Zone Propaganda Book Love Terrence L. Johnson & Jacques Berlinerblau: Blacks and Jews in America: An Invitation to Dialogue Jonathan Weisman: (((Semitism))) Being Jewish in America in the Age of Trump -- If you like #UNFTR, please leave us a rating and review on Apple Podcasts: <a href="https://unftr.c
Fri, December 16, 2022
Show Notes [Episode 81: Public Education Part Three.]
In today's unusually quick Show Notes, Max and 99 review feedback from the final installment of the Education series and read out some 5 star reviews! Listen to Public Education (Part Three): Criticize, Demonize, Then Privatize. Chapters Intro: 00:00:20 Emails: 00:03:06 Facebook Shout Outs: 00:19:39 Reviews: 00:22:56 Outro: 00:23:42 Resources Dan G’s UNFTR Art Unf*cker-Led Facebook Group -- If you like #UNFTR, please leave us a rating and review on Apple Podcasts: unftr.com/rate and follow us on Facebook , Twitter and Instagram at @UNFTRpod. Visit us online at unftr.com . Join the Unf*cker-run Facebook group: facebook.com/groups/2051537518349565 Buy yourself some Unf*cking Coffee at shop.unftr.com . Subscribe to Unf*cking The Republic on Substack at unftr.substack.com to get the essays these episode are framed around sent to your inbox every week. Check out the UNFTR Pod Love playlist on Spotify: spoti.fi/3yzIlUP. Visit our bookshop.org page at bookshop.org/shop/UNFTRpod to find the full UNFTR book list, and find book recommendations from our Unf*ckers at bookshop.org/lists/unf-cker-book-recommendations . Access the UNFTR Musicless feed by following the instructions at unftr.com/accessibility . Unf*cking the Republic is produced by 99 and engineered by Manny Faces Media ( mannyfacesmedia.com ). Original music is by Tom McGovern ( tommcgovern.com ). The show is written and hosted by Max and distributed by 99. Podcast art description: Image of the US Constitution ripped in the middle revealing white text on a blue background that says, "Unf*cking the Republic." Support the show: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/unftr See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Sat, December 10, 2022
Public Education (Part Three): Criticize, Demonize, Then Privatize.
This is it. The moment about seven of you have been waiting for. The dramatic conclusion to the three part series on public education that no one asked for. Oh, and it’s long. In sparing our beloved Unf*ckers a fourth part, we jammed 50 years of education policy into one hot mess of learning. To quote the estimable Manny Faces, “This iz EP last of smart edumaction.” In Parts One and Two we explored the history of education and the legal fight to ensure equality. Part Three reveals the master plan of the GOP’s libertarian strain to defund education, promote a religious doctrine and battle against the constitutional right to access public education. Chapters Intro: 00:01:13 Chapter Seven: Phase Four. Privatization. 00:05:49 Chapter Eight: Vouchers are stupid and racist and they don’t work. 00:13:17 Chapter Nine: Arne Dunks on Public Education. 00:24:12 Chapter Ten: The Propaganda Machine in Full Swing. 00:39:53 Chapter Eleven: Bring it home, Max. 00:52:08 Post Show Musings: 01:06:25 Outro: 01:41:50 Resources National Center For Education Statistics: Results from the NAEP 2022 Mathematics & Reading Assessments at Grades 4 & 8 OECD.org: Rankings National Foundation for Educational Research: OECD Funding Models Peter G. Peterson Foundation: How Is K-12 Education Funded? National Education Association Resilient Educator: Your Guide to Education Lingo Pew Research Center: Religion in the Public Schools Salon: Florida ranked No. 1 for "education freedom" — by right-wing group that wants to privatize it all Heritage Foundation: Education Freedom Report Card The New York Times: Profits and Questions at Online Charter Schools NY Daily News: <a href="https://www.nydailynews.com/opinion/ny-oped
Thu, December 08, 2022
Show Notes [Episode 80: Public Education Part Two.]
In today's Show Notes, Max and 99 review feedback from Education Part Two, talk about some language nuances and 99 is a wee bit cranky. Enjoy, Unf*ckers! Listen to Public Education (Part Two): Expansion, Reconstruction & Desegregation. Chapters Intro: 00:00:20 Emails: 00:06:36 Instagram Shout Outs: 00:39:42 Buy Me A Coffee Donations + Memberships: 00:46:03 Outro: 01:02:08 Resources Wolves of Glendale: Olivia Psychology Today: The Illusory Theory of Multiple Intelligences The Ezra Klein Show: The Hidden Costs of Cheap Meat Animal Equality: Biden Administration Backs the Pig Industry’s Prop 12 Opposition Maintenance Phase: The Food Pyramid -- If you like #UNFTR, please leave us a rating and review on Apple Podcasts: unftr.com/rate and follow us on Facebook , Twitter and Instagram at @UNFTRpod. Visit us online at unftr.com . Join the Unf*cker-run Facebook group: facebook.com/groups/2051537518349565 Buy yourself some Unf*cking Coffee at shop.unftr.com . Subscribe to Unf*cking The Republic on Substack at unftr.substack.com to get the essays these episode are framed around sent to your inbox every week. Check out the UNFTR Pod Love playlist on Spotify: spoti.fi/3yzIlUP. Visit our bookshop.org page at bookshop.org/shop/UNFTRpod to find the full UNFTR book list, and find book recommendations from our Unf*ckers at bookshop.org/lists/unf-cker-book-recommendations . Access the UNFTR Musicless feed by following the instructions at unftr.com/accessibility . Unf*cking the Republic is produced by 99 and engineered by Manny Faces Media ( mannyf
Wed, December 07, 2022
Unf*cking Flashback: Happy Noam Chomsky Day: Pundits, Public Intellectuals & Charlatans.
Today is the great professor and renowned linguist Noam Chomsky's birthday. December 7th. A day that lives in infamy to this pod, because we love us some Uncle Noam. So in honor of this great public intellectual we wanted to reshare our Chomsky tribute episode. We've got show notes to follow tomorrow and part three of our education series dropping on Saturday, so enjoy this appetizer while we prepare the rest of the meal. Access the accompanying essay/transcript . Resources New York Times: QAnon Now as Popular in U.S. as Some Major Religions, Poll Suggests The Atlantic: Noam Chomsky on Where Artificial Intelligence Went Wrong The New Yorker: The Devil’s Accountant (Noam Chomsky’s criticism of America’s role in the world has increased his isolation—and his audience.) Current Affairs: The Intellectual We Deserve Book Love Chomsky Books Syntactic Structures Turning the Tide: U.S. Intervention in Central America and the Struggle for Peace The Chomsky Reader Manufacturing Consent: The Political Economy of the Mass Media Rethinking Camelot: JFK, the Vietnam War, and U.S. Political Culture Media Control: The Spectacular Achievements of Propaganda Profit over People: Neoliberalism and Global Order The Umbrella of U.S. Power: The Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the Contradictions of U.S. Policy Gaza in Crisis: Reflections on Israel’s War Against the Palestinians Requiem for the American Dream: The Ten Principles of Concentration of Wealth and Power Reporter , by Seymour Hersh -- If you like #UNFTR, please leave us a rating and review on Apple Podcasts: <a href
Sat, December 03, 2022
Public Education (Part Two): Expansion, Reconstruction & Desegregation.
Today we continue our three-part series by examining three of the four major eras of public education in the United States: Expansion, Reconstruction and Desegregation. This episode looks at the legal and constitutional framework that protects education in all 50 states and some of the fundamental flaws that have contributed to a gross inequity in the system. This sets the stage for the conclusion of the series, which focuses on the current era of Privatization. Chapters Intro: 00:00:35 Chapter Four. Phase One: Expansion. The 16th Lot. 00:03:49 Chapter Five. Phase Two: Reconstruction. 00:09:43 Chapter Six. Phase Three. Desegregation. 00:19:40 Post Show Musings: 00:30:56 Outro: 00:46:39 Resources Teaching American History: Letter to Nathaniel Banks National Archives: Brown v. Board of Education (1954) Book Love Derek W. Black: Schoolhouse Burning: Public Education and the Assault on American Democracy Samuel Eliot Morison, Henry Steele Commager and William E. Leuchtenburg: A Concise History of the American Republic: Volume 1 UNFTR Episode Resources Public Education (Part One): Scaffolding. The End of Roe v. Wade: Extinguishing the Penumbra. America Inc. Copyright, 2021. -- If you like #UNFTR, please leave us a rating and review on Apple Podcasts: unftr.com/rate and follow us on Facebook , Twitter and Instagram at @UNFTRpod. Visit us online at unftr.com . Join the Unf*cker-run Facebook group: facebook.com/groups/2051537518349565 Buy yourself some Unf*cking Coffee at shop.unftr.com . Subscribe to Unf*cking The Republic on Substack at unftr.substack.com to get the essays these episode are framed around sent to your inbox every week. Check out the UNFTR Pod Love playlist on Spotify: spoti.fi/3yzIlUP. Visit our bookshop.org page at bookshop.org/sh
Thu, December 01, 2022
Show Notes [Episode 79: Public Education Part One.]
They’re baaaack! In today's Show Notes, Max and 99 review feedback from Public Education Part One and discuss what’s to come throughout education series. Listen to Public Education (Part One): Scaffolding. Chapters Intro: 00:00:20 Emails: 00:10:58 Facebook Shout Outs: 01:00:03 Instagram Shout Outs: 01:05:09 Buy Me A Coffee Donations + Memberships: 01:11:07 Outro: 01:16:49 Resources Have You Heard Podcast Center For Progressive Reform: Protecting Workers by Prosecuting Wage Theft as a Crime @MoPaintsChad Fan Art Readable: Profanity Detector -- If you like #UNFTR, please leave us a rating and review on Apple Podcasts: unftr.com/rate and follow us on Facebook , Twitter and Instagram at @UNFTRpod. Visit us online at unftr.com . Join the Unf*cker-run Facebook group: facebook.com/groups/2051537518349565 Buy yourself some Unf*cking Coffee at shop.unftr.com . Subscribe to Unf*cking The Republic on Substack at unftr.substack.com to get the essays these episode are framed around sent to your inbox every week. Check out the UNFTR Pod Love playlist on Spotify: spoti.fi/3yzIlUP. Visit our bookshop.org page at bookshop.org/shop/UNFTRpod to find the full UNFTR book list, and find book recommendations from our Unf*ckers at bookshop.org/lists/unf-cker-book-recommendations . Access the UNFTR Musicless feed by following the instructions at unftr.com/accessibility . Unf*cking the Republic is produced by 99 and engineered by Manny Faces Media ( mannyfacesmedia.com ). Original music is by Tom McGovern ( tommcgovern.com ). The show is written and hosted by Max and distributed by 99. Podcast art description: Image of the US Constitution ripped in the middle revealing white text on a blue background that says, "Unf*cking the Republic." <a href="ht
Fri, November 18, 2022
Public Education (Part One): Scaffolding.
Today is the first in a three-part series on public education in the United States. The focus is on compulsory K-12 education. We begin the series by educating ourselves on the business of education and stripping away the hysteria surrounding mask mandates, CRT, school prayer and kitty litter in bathrooms. Along the way we identify key stakeholders, look at outcomes and measurements, offer a primer on how schools are funded and examine the ongoing mass exodus from the profession of teaching. With a solid foundation in place, the episode ends with an overview of the more fundamental criticisms of public education to understand how and why public education is under attack in this nation. Chapters Intro: 00:00:21 Chapter One: Framing the Inquiry. 00:05:43 Chapter Two: The Structure and Language of Education. 00:15:26 Chapter Three: The Opposition. 00:26:15 Post Show Musings: 00:38:05 Outro: 00:39:58 Resources World Socialist Web Site: 2.6 million US educators and staff quit public K-12 and higher education jobs during pandemic National Center for Education Statistics: Public School Enrollment The Nation’s Report Card: Student Performance Across Subjects National Center for Education Statistics: Total number of public school teachers and percentage of public school teachers in a union or employees' association, by selected school characteristics: 2015–16 Resilient Educator: Your Guide to Education Lingo Learning Journals: What Are the Different Pedagogical Approaches to Learning? Rasmussen University: What Is Reggio Emilia? Your Guide to This Child-Driven Approach Stanford: An Introduction to Design Thinking Understood: Understanding IEPs Resilient Educator: Project Based Learning: A Hands On Approach To Teaching Bookshop.org: Mindset: The New Psychology of Success National Association for Science, Medicine and Engineering
Fri, November 18, 2022
Show Notes [BONUS: Midterm Recap.]
In today’s Show Notes, Max and 99 discuss some midterm updates and work through some T***p 2024 feelings. Plus 99 gets all boomer on some Unf*ckers, lovingly. Listen to BONUS: Midterm Recap. Resources Variety: Candace Cameron Bure Says Great American Family Will Not Feature Gay Couples, Focus on ‘Traditional Marriage’ Instead Unf*cker Facebook Group Jesse Jackson's David and Goliath speech -- If you like #UNFTR, please leave us a rating and review on Apple Podcasts: unftr.com/rate and follow us on Facebook , Twitter and Instagram at @UNFTRpod. Visit us online at unftr.com . Join the Unf*cker-run Facebook group: facebook.com/groups/2051537518349565 Buy yourself some Unf*cking Coffee at shop.unftr.com . Subscribe to Unf*cking The Republic on Substack at unftr.substack.com to get the essays these episode are framed around sent to your inbox every week. Check out the UNFTR Pod Love playlist on Spotify: spoti.fi/3yzIlUP. Visit our bookshop.org page at bookshop.org/shop/UNFTRpod to find the full UNFTR book list, and find book recommendations from our Unf*ckers at bookshop.org/lists/unf-cker-book-recommendations . Access the UNFTR Musicless feed by following the instructions at unftr.com/accessibility . Unf*cking the Republic is produced by 99 and engineered by Manny Faces Media ( mannyfacesmedia.com ). Original music is by Tom McGovern ( tommcgovern.com ). The show is written and hosted by Max and distributed by 99. Podcast art description: Image of the US Constitution ripped in the middle revealing white text on a blue background that says, "Unf*cking the Republic." Support the show: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/unftr See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Sat, November 12, 2022
Show Notes [Episode 78: “Tough on Crime” Republicans.]
In today's Show Notes, Max and 99 unwind from the Midterms Recap, reflect back on the “Tough on Crime” Republicans episode, and read the smart fuckin' write-ins from the Unf*ckers. Listen to “Tough on Crime” Republicans. Chapters Intro: 00:00:20 Emails: 00:00:41 Social: 00:23:16 Buy Me A Coffee Donations + Memberships: 00:28:35 Outro: 00:35:59 Resources Binyamin Appelbaum: The Economists' Hour: False Prophets, Free Markets, and the Fracture of Society NYT Opinion: Liberal Hypocrisy is Fueling American Inequality. Here’s How. CONAN: Gary Gulman On How The States Got Their Abbreviations PBS: Unforgivable Blackness: The Rise and Fall of Jack Johnson Jacobin: As the Fed Raises Interest Rates, People Will Lose Jobs and Democrats Will Lose Elections Outrage + Optimism: ESG: Facts Are Not Political Outrage + Optimism: Australia Is Back -- If you like #UNFTR, please leave us a rating and review on Apple Podcasts: unftr.com/rate and follow us on Facebook , Twitter and Instagram at @UNFTRpod. Visit us online at unftr.com . Join the Unf*cker-run Facebook group: facebook.com/groups/2051537518349565 Buy yourself some Unf*cking Coffee at shop.unftr.com . Subscribe to Unf*cking The Republic on Substack at unftr.substack.com to get the essays these episode are framed around sent to your inbox every week. Check out the UNFTR Pod Love playlist on Spotify: spoti.fi/3yzIlUP. Visit our bookshop.org page at bookshop.org/shop/UNFTRpod to find the full UNFTR book list, and find book recommendations from our Unf*ckers at bookshop.org/lists/unf-cker-book-recommendations . Access the UNFTR Musicless feed by following the instructions at <a h
Wed, November 09, 2022
BONUS: Midterm Recap
Max, Manny and 99 slice and dice the midterm election and highlight several key outcomes that portend good things for Progressives. Also, 99 stayed up the latest but it was to watch the Parent Trap. So there's that. -- If you like #UNFTR, please leave us a rating and review on Apple Podcasts: unftr.com/rate and follow us on Facebook , Twitter and Instagram at @UNFTRpod. Visit us online at unftr.com . Join the Unf*cker-run Facebook group: facebook.com/groups/2051537518349565 Buy yourself some Unf*cking Coffee at shop.unftr.com . Subscribe to Unf*cking The Republic on Substack at unftr.substack.com to get the essays these episode are framed around sent to your inbox every week. Check out the UNFTR Pod Love playlist on Spotify: spoti.fi/3yzIlUP. Visit our bookshop.org page at bookshop.org/shop/UNFTRpod to find the full UNFTR book list, and find book recommendations from our Unf*ckers at bookshop.org/lists/unf-cker-book-recommendations . Access the UNFTR Musicless feed by following the instructions at unftr.com/accessibility . Unf*cking the Republic is produced by 99 and engineered by Manny Faces Media ( mannyfacesmedia.com ). Original music is by Tom McGovern ( tommcgovern.com ). The show is written and hosted by Max and distributed by 99. Podcast art description: Image of the US Constitution ripped in the middle revealing white text on a blue background that says, "Unf*cking the Republic." Support the show: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/unftr See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Sat, November 05, 2022
“Tough on Crime”: Republicans pin midterm hopes on tired trope.
The midterms are upon us and the Republicans have pinned their hopes on a tried and true fear tactic: Crime. It’s a winning narrative. Always has been. The data paint another picture entirely, however. While in no way excusing criminal activity or minimizing its impact upon individuals, families and society, we need to have an honest discussion about fear mongering and scapegoating. So let’s take a bite out of crime. Visit the episode's accompanying site page. Chapters Intro: 00:00:04 Chapter One: Dispelling Crime Mythology. 00:01:50 Chapter Two: When All Else Fails. 00:05:08 Chapter Three: Gaslighting. 00:15:35 Chapter Four: Bring it home, Max. 00:21:33 Post Show Musings: 00:24:01 Outro: 00:36:13 Resources Brennan Center For Justice: What Caused the Crime Decline? Gotham Gazette: What Is Lee Zeldin’s Gubernatorial Campaign Platform? Newsweek: New York City’s Most Dangerous Year of Crime Compared to 2022: Analysis Wikipedia: Demographic history of New York City News Beat: A Guide To Mass Incarceration In America StopRecidivism.org: Why Are More States Than Ever Passing Laws For No Cash Bail And Pretrial Detention? CDC: Homicide Mortality by State UNFTR Episode Resources The Clinton Years (Parts One, Two, and Three) New York’s Casual White Supremacy: Losing the Plot on Hochul & Buffalo Bills. -- If you like #UNFTR, please leave us a rating and review on Apple Podcasts: unftr.com/rate and follow us on Facebook , Twitter and Instagram at @UNFTRpod. Visit us online at unftr.com . Join the Unf*cker-run Facebook group: facebook.com/groups/2051537518349565 Buy yourself some Unf*cking Coffee at sho
Thu, November 03, 2022
Show Notes [Strange Bedfellows 1: Arthur & Sand]
In today's Show Notes, Max and 99 catch up on some big news stories of the last few weeks like midterms, Twitter, antisemitism, and Lula. They also read some Unf*cker topic requests and review “PC” insult suggestions. Listen to Strange Bedfellows: Chester A. Arthur and Julia Sand. Chapters Intro: 00:00:20 Current Events Roundup: 00:04:13 Emails: 00:59:15 Buy Me A Coffee Donations + Memberships: 01:30:33 Outro: 01:36:19 Resources UNFTR Episode: The Problem with Conscious Capitalism Podcast Outrage and Optimism Podcast New York Times: Climate Pledges Are Falling Short, and a Chaotic Future Looks More Like Reality Taylor Swift: Anti-Hero Vox: The Taylor Swift/Scooter Braun controversy, explained EconTalk Podcast Beyond Zero Film Ray C. Anderson: Confessions of a Radical Industrialist: Profits, People, Purpose--Doing Business by Respecting the Earth Paul Traynor New Trier: Tip of the Spear UNFTR Episode: Building the Climate Industrial Complex. Candice Millard: Destiny of the Republic: A Tale of Madness, Medicine and the Murder of a President Unf*cker-Run Facebook Group -- If you like #UNFTR, please leave us a rating and review on Apple Podcasts: unftr.com/rate and follow us on Facebook , Twitter and Instagram at @UNFTRpod. Visit us online at unftr.com . Join the Unf*cker-run Facebook group: facebook.com/groups/2051537518349565 Buy yourself some Unf*cking Coffee at <a
Sat, October 29, 2022
Unf*cking Flashback: Building the Climate Industrial Complex.
The world is more fucked than the United States. And we’re pretty fucked, so that’s saying a lot. Perhaps there’s a way to mitigate this mess by playing upon our worst instincts as a nation and the competitiveness that drives the world. Today we take an alternative view of our response to climate change through the lens of the most dispassionate and powerful observer in the world: The U.S. Military. It’s known for decades that the planet is fucked. And they’ve been preparing in plain sight. Visit the episode's accompanying site page. Resources IPCC- Summary for Policymakers Institute for Policy Integrity- Gauging Economic Consensus on Climate Change Center for Climate and Security- Chronology of Military and Intelligence Concerns About Climate Change World Economic Forum- This is how climate change could impact the global economy Swiss Re- World economy set to lose up to 18% GDP from climate change if no action taken New York Times- 40 Million People Rely on the Colorado River. It’s Drying Up Fast. The Black Vault- 1990 U.S. Naval Report Sub Love Adam Tooze- Chartbook Spencer Ackerman- Forever Wars Book Love Michael T. Klare - All Hell Breaking Loose: The Pentagon’s Perspective on Climate Change Pod Love Slate- What Next TBD Global Optimism- Outrage and Optimism Unf*cker Love Daron Davis: An unfortunate name but a profound podcast -- If you like #UNFTR, please leave us a rating and review on Apple Podcasts: unftr.com/rate
Sat, October 22, 2022
Strange Bedfellows: Chester A. Arthur and Julia Sand.
As Max grinds away at a more in-depth Unf*cking, we offer our dear listeners a new palate cleanser. Strange Bedfellows examines fascinating relationships and wonders how these duos might have altered the course of history. Our first installment tells the story of President Chester Arthur and a pen-pal named Julia Sand. Visit the episode's accompanying site page. Chapters Intro: 00:00:31 A Nation Adrift: 00:02:33 Arthur Is Now President: 00:07:17 Letters: 00:07:40 Outro: 00:19:41 Resources Samuel Eliot Morison, Henry Steele Commager andWilliam E. Leuchtenburg: A Concise History of the American Republic: Volume 1 David C. Whitney: The Graphic Story of the American Presidents Library of Congress: The Correspondence of Julia I. Sand Miller Center: Chester Arthur, December 6, 1881: First Annual Message The New York Times: Overlooked No More: Julia Sand, Whose Letters Inspired a President -- If you like #UNFTR, please leave us a rating and review on Apple Podcasts: unftr.com/rate and follow us on Facebook , Twitter and Instagram at @UNFTRpod. Visit us online at unftr.com . Join the Unf*cker-run Facebook group: facebook.com/groups/2051537518349565 Buy yourself some Unf*cking Coffee at shop.unftr.com . Subscribe to Unf*cking The Republic on Substack at unftr.substack.com to get the essays these episode are framed around sent to your inbox every week. Check out the UNFTR Pod Love playlist on Spotify: spoti.fi/3yzIlUP. Visit our bookshop.org page at bookshop.org/shop/UNFTRpod to find the full UNFTR book list, and find book rec
Thu, October 20, 2022
Show Notes [Episode 77: What’s the deal with Peter Thiel?]
In today's Show Notes, Max and 99 discuss some Thiel feedback, review episode suggestions from Unf*ckers, and discuss what’s up next for UNFTR episodes. Tune in! Listen to Episode 77: What’s the deal with Peter Thiel? Chapters Intro: 00:00:20 Emails: 00:04:36 Twitter Shout Outs: 00:26:23 Instagram Shout Outs: 00:40:07 Buy Me A Coffee Donations + Memberships: 00:41:14 Outro: 00:45:32 Resources UNFTR Episode: Immigration Nation. Climate Action 2030 UNFTR Episode: Building the Climate Industrial Complex. The New York Times: Peter Thiel Applies for Citizenship in Malta Knudsen on Twitter: @WildEyedBob Gary Chambers Summer Lee Mandela Barnes -- If you like #UNFTR, please leave us a rating and review on Apple Podcasts: unftr.com/rate and follow us on Facebook , Twitter and Instagram at @UNFTRpod. Visit us online at unftr.com . Join the Unf*cker-run Facebook group: facebook.com/groups/2051537518349565 Buy yourself some Unf*cking Coffee at shop.unftr.com . Subscribe to Unf*cking The Republic on Substack at unftr.substack.com to get the essays these episode are framed around sent to your inbox every week. Check out the UNFTR Pod Love playlist on Spotify: spoti.fi/3yzIlUP. Visit our bookshop.org page at bookshop.org/shop/UNFTRpod to find the full UNFTR book list, and find book recommendations from our Unf*ckers at bookshop.org/lists/unf-cker-book-recommendations . Access the UNFTR Musicless feed by following the instructions at unftr.com/accessibility . Unf*cking the Republic is produced by 99 and engineered by Manny Faces Media (<a href="https://ww
Sat, October 15, 2022
What’s the deal with Peter Thiel? Sociopathic billionaire man-child wants to eat the world.
I’m not a doctor. But even I can certainly see that Peter Thiel is a sick, sick person. Bright, awkward and successful, Peter Thiel has risen to prominence in American society on the gamble that he can break it. A product of the Ivy League system who wants to take it down. A gay man who backs candidates that would degrade his civil rights. A hedge fund tech investor who thinks Silicon Valley hasn’t done anything innovative in 50 years. A Trump backer and advisor who walked away when he got what he wanted. Peter Thiel is known as a contrarian, but it may be simpler than that. He might just be a nihilistic asshole. Chapters Intro: 00:00:35 Chapter One: So who the fuck is this guy? 00:04:02 Chapter Two: Where did all his money come from and can I have some? 00:13:07 Chapter Three: We’re all just pawns on Peter’s board 00:20:53 Chapter Four: Bring it home, Max. 00:31:53 Post Show Musings: 00:37:51 Outro: 00:45:46 Resources The Atlantic: Peter Thiel Hates a Copycat ProPublica: Lord of the Roths: How Tech Mogul Peter Thiel Turned a Retirement Account for the Middle Class Into a $5 Billion Tax-Free Piggy Bank Founders Fund: Portfolio The Intercept: How Peter Thiel’s Palantir Helped The Nsa Spy On The Whole World The Wall Street Journal: Tech Tycoon Peter Thiel Shies From Trump Re-Election Campaign SEC: Palantir Technologies Inc. Cato Unbound: The Education of a Libertarian The Intercept: The New New Right Was Forged in Greed and White Backlash Daily Beast: Blake Masters’ Views on Gay Marriage May Surprise His Political Master Peter Thiel Book Love Max Chafkin:
Wed, October 12, 2022
Show Notes [Episode 76: The FCC (Part Two).]
In today's Show Notes, Max is cranky about the Mets, we close out feedback from the FCC series and happy cry over real-world Unf*cker meet ups. Listen to Episode 76: The FCC (Part Two). On the death of competition. Chapters Intro: 00:00:25 Newbie Unf*cker Introduction: 00:06:12 Emails: 00:07:58 Twitter Shout Outs: 00:35:29 Instagram Shout Outs: 00:45:44 Buy Me A Coffee Donations + Memberships: 00:48:12 Outro: 00:51:25 Resources Summer Lee Mandela Barnes Hazen Pingree Wikipedia The David McWilliams Podcast: UK experiments & Irish stability Paul Krugman: End This Depression Now! DiversifyOurNarrative -- If you like #UNFTR, please leave us a rating and review on Apple Podcasts: unftr.com/rate and follow us on Facebook , Twitter and Instagram at @UNFTRpod. Visit us online at unftr.com . Join the Unf*cker-run Facebook group: facebook.com/groups/2051537518349565 Buy yourself some Unf*cking Coffee at shop.unftr.com . Subscribe to Unf*cking The Republic on Substack at unftr.substack.com to get the essays these episode are framed around sent to your inbox every week. Check out the UNFTR Pod Love playlist on Spotify: spoti.fi/3yzIlUP. Visit our bookshop.org page at bookshop.org/shop/UNFTRpod to find the full UNFTR book list, and find book recommendations from our Unf*ckers at bookshop.org/lists/unf-cker-book-recommendations . Access the UNFTR Musicless feed by following the instructions at unftr.com/accessibility . Unf*cking the Republic is produced by 99 and engineered by Manny Faces Media ( mannyfacesmedia.com ). Original music is by Tom McGovern ( tommcgovern.com ). The show is written and hosted by Max and distributed by 9
Sat, October 08, 2022
The FCC (Part Two). On the death of competition.
In our first installment of the two-part FCC series we discussed the origins of the Federal Communications Commission, the reason it came into existence and the tension between its charge and the First Amendment. Our story resumes with a nod to the Chicago School, the one-two punch of the Reagan and Clinton administrations to deliver a death blow to media competition in the United States and the recent history of net neutrality. Let’s fucking go. Chapters Intro: 00:01:56 Chapter One: The Coase Theorem. 00:03:08 Chapter Two: Reagan and Clinton. 00:10:28 Chapter Three: Title II and Net Neutrality. 00:25:25 Chapter Four: Bring it home, Max. 00:37:22 Post Show Musings: 00:42:14 Book Love: 00:53:17 Outro: 00:54:02 Resources FCC Website Steven G. Medema: “Failure to Appear”: The Use of the Coase Theorem in Judicial Opinion European Council On Foreign Relations: Network effects: Europe’s digital sovereignty in the Mediterranean Brookings: Was the 1996 Telecommunications Act successful in promoting competition? USTelecom: Research FCC: National Broadband Map Community Networks: Community Network Map Berkman Klein Center: Community-Owned Fiber Networks: Value Leaders in America Vice: A Community-Run ISP Is the Highest Rated Broadband Company in America Tristin Esfandiari: The FCC Threatens Free Speech Open Secrets: Ajit Pai Employment History FCC: FCC Releases Restoring Internet Freedom Order FCC: Biography of Former Chairman Ajit Pai Public Knowledge: We Already Knew Broadband Should Be A Public Utility. The Pandemic Made It Obvious. Congress.gov: <a hre
Wed, October 05, 2022
Show Notes [Quickie 13: One nation divided?]
In today's Show Notes, Max and 99 share some show scheduling updates, discuss a potential recurring 99 segment and trade New York stories. Plus, they review a few Unf*cker emails regarding supply chain, healthcare and native issues. Listen to Quickie 13: One nation divided? What bipartisanship says about America. Chapters Intro: 00:00:25 Housekeeping: 00:03:40 Emails: 00:07:44 Twitter Shout Outs: 00:48:57 Buy Me A Coffee Donations + Memberships: 00:50:55 Reviews: 00:54:26 Outro: 01:02:44 Resources Summer Lee Mandela Barnes Halftown Must Go WTF with Marc Maron: Episode 1370 - Abigail Disney Whyy: Detroit’s urban farms: engines of growth, omens of change Free2Care’s Rx for Reforming America’s Predatory Healthcare System A Physician-Led Roadmap to Patient-Centered Medical Care Even The Rich Podcast: Marilyn Monroe Adrian Brody SNL -- If you like #UNFTR, please leave us a rating and review on Apple Podcasts: unftr.com/rate and follow us on Facebook , Twitter and Instagram at @UNFTRpod. Visit us online at unftr.com . Join the Unf*cker-run Facebook group: facebook.com/groups/2051537518349565 Buy yourself some Unf*cking Coffee at shop.unftr.com . Subscribe to Unf*cking The Republic on Substack at unftr.substack.com to get the essays these episode are framed around sent to your inbox every week. Check out the UNFTR Pod Love playlist on Spotify: spoti.fi/3yzIlUP. Visit our bookshop.org page at bookshop.org/shop/UNFTRpod to find the full UNFTR book list, and find book recommendations from our Unf*ckers at bookshop.org/lists/unf-cker-book-recommendations</
Sat, October 01, 2022
One nation divided? What bipartisanship says about America.
We’ve all heard of the great divide. The most dysfunctional Congress ever. The end of civility! There’s an impression that nothing passes Congress with bipartisan support anymore. That every piece of legislation has to pass along party lines, setting us up for bloodsport events each and every fucking election cycle. There’s a lot of truth to this. And yet, each year thousands of bills and resolutions are introduced and hundreds are eventually signed into law. We define ourselves along partisan lines, but perhaps we should look more closely at what bipartisan efforts say about America. Visit the episode's accompanying site page. Chapters Intro: 00:00:10 Bill Primer: 00:05:22 Rule One: Protect the “free” market at all costs. 00:12:48 Coffee Break: 00:20:06 Rule Two: Protect the war machine. Even if we don’t have our own war. 00:21:36 Rule Three: Protect the war machine. In case you want to start a war. 00:29:02 Post Show Musings: 00:31:54 Outro: 00:36:30 Resources GovTrack: S. 1404: Ghost Army Congressional Gold Medal Act Ghost Army Legacy Project: The story of The Ghost Army in a nutshell GovTrack: H.R. 1448: PAWS for Veterans Therapy Act GovTrack: H.R. 8351: Formula Act GovTrack: H.R. 2954: Securing a Strong Retirement Act of 2021 Committee On Ways And Means, House Of Representatives Report: Securing a Strong Retirement Act of 2021 CNBC: 41% of Americans say it’s ‘going to take a miracle’ to be ready for retirement, report finds CNBC: Some retirees get by on just Social Security. Experts disagree on how many Congress.gov: 1st Session S. 1770 GovTrack: S. 3522: Ukraine Democracy Defense Lend-Lease Act of 2022 ISS PSC Report: African conflicts to watch in 2022 ISS: Inclusive national dialogue is a priority for
Fri, September 30, 2022
Show Notes [Ep 75: The FCC.]
In today's Show Notes, Max and 99 talk about the FCC, bagpipes and parkways. And nothing else. (Okay, obviously a lie. But tune in to find out what else is discussed!) Listen to Episode 75: The FCC. Chapters Intro: 00:00:20 Housekeeping: 00:30:00 Emails: 00:15:25 Twitter Shout Outs: 01:13:12 Substack Shout Outs: 01:19:20 Buy Me A Coffee Donations + Memberships: 01:25:33 Reviews: 01:28:07 Outro: 01:28:34 Resources Summer Lee Mandela Barnes The Rewatchables: Boogie Nights Last Podcast On The Left: Mormonism Series and Black Death Series The Rewatchables: Miami Vice Kentucky Candidate Charles Booker Stephanie Kelton: The Deficit Myth: Modern Monetary Theory and the Birth of the People's Economy Mises Institute: A Review of Stephanie Kelton’s The Deficit Myth The New York Times: California to Ban the Sale of New Gasoline Cars Peter Shapiro: The Music Never Stops: What Putting on 10,000 Shows Has Taught Me about Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Magic Danny Meyer: Setting the Table News Beat Podcast: MMIWG2S: Missing & Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls & Two-Spirit People The War on Cars Podcast WebMD: Under 2% of Eligible Have Gotten Newest Booster Shot NPR: CDC recommends new booster shots to fight omicron UNFTR Sticker Request -- If you like #UNFTR, please leave us a rating and review on Apple Po
Sat, September 24, 2022
The FCC: On the death of the fairness doctrine.
This week we finally heed the call to Unf*ck the Federal Communications Commission (FCC.) We don’t get all the way there (it’s been around since 1934) but we manage to tackle the fairness doctrine, which was intended to provide balance and equal time in broadcasting and was repealed in 1987. Many credit this Reagan-era move as the beginning of the end of civility, leading to the divide in the nation today. But, of course, the story behind the doctrine is far more nuanced. We review a history of the FCC, its limitations and whether or not the fairness doctrine ever really had a place in America given the natural tension with the First Amendment. Visit the episode's accompanying site page. Chapters Intro: 00:03:53 Chapter One: What is the FCC and why should we give a shit? 00:04:51 Chapter Two: To be fair, it was never really a doctrine. 00:13:35 Chapter Three: Fairness in the eye of the withholder. 00:24:57 Chapter Four: Bring it home, Max. 00:33:27 Post Show Musings: 00:39:36 Book Love: 00:40:22 Outro: 00:49:35 Resources FCC Website Congressional Quarterly: Broadcasting Deregulation UNFTR Episode Resources Manufacturing Dissent: How We Let an Aussie Destroy the U.S. The Economics of Racism: Bootstraps, Black Banks and Redlining. Book Love Steven J. Simmons: The Fairness Doctrine and the Media Brian J. Karem: Free the Press: The Death of American Journalism and How to Revive It Ken Auletta: Backstory: Inside the Business of News Bernard Harcourt: The Illusion of Free Markets: Punishment and the Myth of Natural Order -- If you like #UNFTR, please leave us a rating and review on Apple Podcasts: unftr.com/rate and follow us on Facebook , Twitter and Instagram at @UNFTRpod. Visit us online at unftr.com . Join the Unf*cker-run Facebook group: facebook.com/groups/2051537518349565 Buy yourself some Unf*cking Coffee at <a href="https://shop.un
Fri, September 23, 2022
Show Notes [Ep 74: BlackRock.]
In today's Show Notes, Max and 99 talk about the future of the enablers “series,” how people like Larry Fink of BlackRock fit into the overall UNFTR ecosystem and how that relates to ESGs + the billionaire class. Plus, there’s some irrelevant movie talk, and reminders to support the Fall Raisers: Friends, Funds and Hell. Listen to Episode 74: BlackRock: The Devil's Banker. Do as I say, not as I do. Chapters Intro: 00:00:20 Housekeeping: 00:02:00 Emails: 00:07:43 Facebook Shout Outs: 00:35:45 Twitter Shout Outs: 00:36:15 Buy Me A Coffee Donations + Memberships: 00:45:32 Outro: 01:02:12 Resources Unf*cker Artist Submission Form Summer Lee Mandela Barnes Christopher Leonard: Kochland: The Secret History of Koch Industries and Corporate Power in America to Collections Jane Mayer: Dark Money: The Hidden History of the Billionaires Behind the Rise of the Radical Right to Collections UNFTR Episodes: Libertarians Are Exhausting ( Part 1 and Part 2 ) Tom McGovern on TikTok , Youtube , Instagram and Twitter News Beat Podcast: The Fossil Fuel Industry's Big Lie UNFTR Episode: The Problem with Conscious Capitalism: ESG, SRI and FMF. Bloomberg: Patagonia Billionaire Who Gave Up Company Skirts $700 Million Tax Hit Ben Sheehan on Instagram and Twitter Ben Sheehan: OMG WTF Does the Constitution Actually Say?: A Non-Boring Guide to How Our Democracy Is Supposed to Work -- If you like #UNFTR, please leave us a rating and review on Apple Podcasts: unftr.com/rate and follow us on Facebook , Twitter and Instagram at @UNFTRpod. Visit us online at <a href="https://ww
Sat, September 17, 2022
BlackRock: The Devil's Banker. Do as I say, not as I do.
Larry Fink is one of the most influential people on the planet. His firm BlackRock mints money. Billions of dollars a year. Their risk management platform handles more than $10 trillion a year. He helped guide the country out of the financial crisis in 2009 and positioned his company to grow unfettered by the very regulatory authorities he advised at the time. He’s by all accounts funny, affable, competitive and compassionate. BlackRock is at the center of a storm in conservative media for pushing companies too hard toward sustainability. That he’s too “woke.” Liberals think he’s behind the housing crisis. Conspiracy theorists believe he’s in the pocket of the Chinese government. The real story of BlackRock is bigger, more mundane and just as terrifying. Visit the episode's accompanying site page. Chapters BlackRock Disclaimer: 00:00:05 Intro: 00:02:24 Chapter One: Bank or no bank? You decide. 00:05:31 Chapter Two: Birth of a giant. 00:13:12 Chapter Three: Just how big is BlackRock? 00:24:20 Chapter Four: The ESG Hullabaloo. 00:31:46 Chapter Five: Bring it home, Max. 00:40:11 Post Show Musings: 00:50:48 Outro: 01:09:20 Resources Vanity Fair: Larry Fink’s $12 Trillion Shadow BlackRock: 2021 Annual Report Policy Tensor: Seeing Like BlackRock Insider: Here are 9 fascinating facts to know about BlackRock, the world’s largest asset manager Bloomberg: Biden Ties to BlackRock Deepen With Latest Treasury Hire Wall Street Journal: One Firm Getting What It Wants in Washington: BlackRock OpenSecrets: BlackRock Inc Office of Financial Research: Asset Management and Financial Stability, September 2013 Bloomberg: In Fink We Trust: BlackRock Is Now ‘Fourth Branch of Government’
Thu, September 15, 2022
Show Notes [Ep 73: Hospitals and Healthcare.]
In today's Show Notes, Max and 99 discuss the conclusion of the three part Healthcare series, share plans to support two progressive candidates in the upcoming election, and get hyped for the Fall Raisers: Friend, Fund, and Hell. Listen to Episode 73: Hospitals and Healthcare: From Sanatoriums for the Indigent to Citadels of the Elite. Chapters Intro: 00:00:20 Housekeeping: 00:07:54 Emails: 00:18:57 Facebook Shout Outs: 00:41:06 Twitter Shout Outs: 00:41:19 Buy Me A Coffee Donations + Memberships: 00:42:14 Reviews: 00:49:25 Outro: 00:49:52 Resources Summer Lee Mandela Barnes Unf*ckers Facebook Group ContraPoints Youtube F.D Signifier Youtube Some More News Youtube News Beat Podcast: The Fossil Fuel Industry's Big Lie -- If you like #UNFTR, please leave us a rating and review on Apple Podcasts: unftr.com/rate and follow us on Facebook , Twitter and Instagram at @UNFTRpod. Visit us online at unftr.com . Buy yourself some Unf*cking Coffee at shop.unftr.com . Subscribe to Unf*cking The Republic on Substack at unftr.substack.com to get the essays these episode are framed around sent to your inbox every week. Check out the UNFTR Pod Love playlist on Spotify: spoti.fi/3yzIlUP. Visit our bookshop.org page at bookshop.org/shop/UNFTRpod to find the full UNFTR book list, and find book recommendations from our Unf*ckers at bookshop.org/lists/unf-cker-book-recommendations . Access the UNFTR Musicless feed by following the instructions at unftr.com/accessibility . Unf*cking the Republic is produced by 99 and engineered by Manny Faces Media ( mannyfacesmedia.com ). Original music is by Tom McGovern ( tommcgovern.com ). The show is written and hosted by
Sun, September 11, 2022
Hospitals and Healthcare: From Sanatoriums for the Indigent to Citadels of the Elite.
The third and final installment of our American Healthcare series examines the evolution of the American hospital system. There are more than 6,000 hospitals in the United States and several distinctions among them. After a quick recap of the first two episodes, we look primarily at the peculiar designation of nonprofit hospitals, their relationship to practitioners and their role in driving costs in the system. We conclude the series with a few hot takes from medical professionals, some basic proposals to improve coverage and care and ask what it would take to move toward Medicare for All. Chapters Intro: 00:01:59 Chapter One: What’s a Hospital? 00:13:59 Chapter Two: For-Profit and Nonprofit Hospitals. Two sides of the same damn coin. 00:17:56 Chapter Three: Turning Doctors into Business People. 00:31:07 Chapter Four: Bring it home, Max. 00:36:09 Post Show Musings: 00:50:39 Book Love: 01:10:43 Outro: 01:11:11 Resources OECD.stat: Health Care Resources: Hospitals EOS Surfaces: Types of Hospitals in the US AAPC: What Are Relative Value Units (RVUs)? American Hospital Association: Fast Facts on U.S. Hospitals, 2022 Becker’s Hospital Review: 82 Physician-Owned Hospitals to Know AMA Journal of Ethics: Physician-Owned Hospitals and Self-Referral NPR’s Planet Money: How Non-Profit Hospitals Are Driving Up The Cost Of Health Care LWW Journals: The Growing Executive-Physician Wage Gap in Major US Nonprofit Hospitals and Burden of Nonclinical Workers on the US Healthcare System Weatherby Healthcare: Physician salary report 2022: Physician income rising again The New York Times: Why Are Nonprofit Hospitals So Highly Profitable? Hub’s List: A data-based biweekly newsletter of medical fun facts The New England Journal of Medicine: Practicing Medicine in the New Business Climate The New England Journal
Sat, September 10, 2022
Show Notes [Ep 72: This Healthcare is Killing Us.]
In today's Show Notes, Max and 99 continue to discuss the healthcare industry—this time with insight from some of the international Unf*ckers. Plus, 99 has the sniffles and sounds like Squidward. And, as always, (somehow) there’s singing. Enjoy! Listen to Episode 72: This Healthcare is Killing Us: The perpetual cycle of money madness. Chapters Intro: 00:00:20 Emails: 00:06:35 Twitter Shout Outs: 01:18:01 Instagram Shout Outs: 01:18:01 Buy Me A Coffee Donations + Memberships: 01:50:47 Reviews: 01:23:13 Outro: 01:24:27 Resources UNFTR Artist Submission Unf*ckers Facebook Group Media Roots Podcast: Alex Jones Part 1 and Part 2 IndoctriNation Podcast Amanda Montell: Cultish: The Language of Fanaticism UNFTR Episode: Global Order of Money UNFTR Episode: Global Order of Power UNFTR Episode: America Inc. Knudsen in the news -- If you like #UNFTR, please leave us a rating and review on Apple Podcasts: unftr.com/rate and follow us on Facebook , Twitter and Instagram at @UNFTRpod. Visit us online at unftr.com . Buy yourself some Unf*cking Coffee at shop.unftr.com . Subscribe to Unf*cking The Republic on Substack at unftr.substack.com to get the essays these episode are framed around sent to your inbox every week. Check out the UNFTR Pod Love playlist on Spotify: spoti.fi/3yzIlUP. Visit our bookshop.org page at bookshop.org/shop/UNFTRpod to find the full UNFTR book list, and find book recommendations from our Unf*ckers at<a href="https://bookshop.org/list
Mon, September 05, 2022
Unf*cking Flashback: Labor Unions: From Pullman to Kellogg’s. Labor’s long, hard road.
We're re-releasing our Labor Union episode in honor of Labor Day. For Unf*ckers outside of the United States, this is the day government set aside as a token of appreciation to the labor movement for eight hour days, weekends, anti-child labor laws, protection from discrimination and more. (In reality, it was a consolation prize after Grover Cleveland jailed Eugene Debs and sent federal troops to beat the shit out of Pullman railcar workers on strike.) We celebrate this glorious day by giving members of the PMC a holiday to shop at stores run by the working poor. -- From Pullman and Carnegie to Kellogg's and the PRO Act, this week we unf*ck the labor movement in the United States. No single episode can possibly do labor justice but we give it our best shot. The episode includes a blow-by-blow analysis of a recent interview with the CEO of Kellogg's to translate Wall Street speak for “how to fuck workers and influence inflation.” And we rip off a few Milton references to exercise our #FMF muscle. Chapters Intro: 00:00:42 Segment 1: 00:02:11 Segment 2: 00:04:25 Segment 3: 00:12:18 Segment 4: 00:17:46 Segment 5: 00:21:29 Segment 6: 00:28:00 Segment 7: 00:30:20 Segment 8: 00:41:22 Show Notes: 00:52:15 Book Love: 00:57:17 Pod Love: 00:58:02 Emails + Shoutouts: 00:58:45 Outro: 01:10:42 Resources American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations (AFL-CIO) The New York Times: Starbucks workers at a Buffalo store unionize in a big symbolic win for labor Kellogg Company: Investor Relations The Nation: Striking Kellogg’s Workers Need the PRO Act U.S. Bureau Of Labor Statistics: Work Stoppages OECD: Trade Union Dataset U.S. Bureau Of Labor Statistics: Union Members — 2020 Economic History Association: Labor Unions in the United States History of Recessions in U.S. Unionization rates by industry in the United States, 1880-2000 More Perfect Union: Kellogg's Factory Working Conditions Media Matters: <a href="https://www.mediamatters.org/joe-rogan-experience/joe-
Sat, September 03, 2022
This Healthcare is Killing Us: The perpetual cycle of money madness.
The first installment of our healthcare series encapsulated the magnitude of the industry that accounts for 20% of our nation’s GDP and how efforts to pursue universal healthcare were scuttled over the years. Today’s episode examines the role of private insurance in our system and details how Obamacare came to life with little discussion around a public option or the possibility of Medicare for All. Chapters Intro: 00:01:58 Chapter One: Understanding the scope of healthcare. 00:03:12 Chapter Two: The Insurance Class System: 00:16:29 Chapter Three: Making the Sausage: 00:26:32 Post Show Musings: 00:46:27 Outro: 00:51:50 Resources The New York Times: U.S. Life Expectancy Falls Again in ‘Historic’ Setback Health System Tracker: How does health spending in the U.S. compare to other countries? The Atlantic: Did a Conservative Think Tank Really Invent the Individual Mandate? The Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation: The Burden of Medical Debt: Results from the Kaiser Family Foundation/New York Times UnitedHealth Group: Annual Report Humana: 2021 Annual Report Anthem, Inc: Annual Report National Association of Insurance Commissioners: U.S. Health Insurance Industry Analysis Report Book Love Paul Starr: The Social Transformation of American Medicine: The Rise of a Sovereign Profession and the Making of a Vast Industry Steven Brill: America's Bitter Pill: Money, Politics, Backroom Deals, and the Fight to Fix Our Broken Healthcare System -- If you like #UNFTR, please leave us a rating and review on Apple Podcasts: unftr.com/rate and follow us on Facebook , Twitter and <a href="https://www.insta
Thu, September 01, 2022
Show Notes [Topical Cream 6: Biden’s Big Student Debt Announcement.]
In today's Show Notes, Max and 99 continue talking about the student debt announcement and its impact, address more feedback from the healthcare episode, plus feedback from the last show notes re: Big Pharma, natural medicine and vaccines. Listen to Topical Cream 6: Biden’s Big Student Debt Announcement. Chapters Intro: 00:00:20 Emails: 00:09:22 Facebook Shout Outs: 01:37:40 Twitter Shout Outs: 01:45:19 Buy Me A Coffee Donations + Memberships: 01:50:47 Outro: 01:51:16 Resources UNFTR Merch Store Trust Me Podcast: Virginia Heffernan: Edge, Jeffrey Epstein, & the Intellectual Dark Web Conspirituality Podcast Maintenance Phase Podcast Unf*ckers Facebook Group UNFTR Episodes: Libertarians Are Exhausting Part One and Part Two . UNFTR Episodes: Corporate (Ir)Responsibility Part One and Part Two . UNFTR Episodes: F*ck Milton Friedman . ProPublica: How a Secretive Billionaire Handed His Fortune to the Architect of the Right-Wing Takeover of the Courts The Intercept: Joe Biden’s Role In Creating The Student Debt Crisis Stretches Back To The 1970s SocialMarketing.org: Generations X,Y, Z and the Others -- If you like #UNFTR, please leave us a rating and review on Apple Podcasts: unftr.com/rate and follow us on Facebook , Twitter and Instagram at @UNFTRpod. Visit us online at unftr.com . Buy yourself some Unf*cking Coffee at shop.unftr.com . Subscribe to Unf*cking The Republic on Substack at unftr.substack.com to get the essays these episode are framed around sent to your inbox every week. Check out the UNFTR Pod Love playlist on Sp
Tue, August 30, 2022
Phone a Friend: Lily Geismer, author of Left Behind: The Democrats’ Failed Attempt to Solve Inequality.
Lily Geismer wrote an incredible book called Left Behind . Unf*ckers who listened to our three part series on the Clinton years are familiar with it and know how important it was to framing this series. We had some follow up thoughts and questions for this esteemed author and are thrilled she obliged. Max and Lily have a wide ranging conversation about her book and the long tail effect of Clinton’s brand of neoliberalism in the second installment of Phone a Friend. Resources UNFTR Episode: The Clinton Years (Parts One, Two, and Three) Lily Geismer: Left Behind: The Democrats’ Failed Attempt to Solve Inequality Lily Geismer: Don’t Blame Us: Suburban Liberals and the Transformation of the Democratic Party Nathan J. Robinson: Superpredator: Bill Clinton’s Use and Abuse of Black America UNFTR Episode: The Economics of Racism: Bootstraps, Black Banks and Redlining Michelle Alexander: The New Jim Crow: Mass Incarceration in the Age of Colorblindness Mehrsa Baradaran: The Color of Money: Black Banks and the Racial Wealth Gap Richard Rothstein: The Color of Law: A Forgotten History of How Our Government Segregated America Gary Gerstle: The Rise and Fall of the Neoliberal Order: America and the World in the Free Market Era Lily on Twitter -- If you like #UNFTR, please leave us a rating and review on Apple Podcasts: unftr.com/rate and follow us on Facebook , Twitter and Instagram at @UNFTRpod. Visit us online at unftr.com . Join the Unf*cker-run Facebook group: facebook.com/groups/2051537518349565 Buy yourself some Unf*cking Coffee at shop.unftr.com . Subscribe to Unf*cking The Republic on Substack at unftr.substack.com to get the essays these episode are framed around sent to your inbox every week. Check out the UNFTR Pod Love playlist on Spotify: <a href="https://open.spotify.co
Sun, August 28, 2022
Biden’s Big Student Debt Announcement: PITOTWIU for the Indebted Masses.
It’s here! It’s finally here! Today we review our predictions for student debt relief and square them with Biden’s proposed plan. There’s a lot to like about the announcement, several unanswered questions and some gaping holes in the plan going forward. Max breaks down the politics, the details and biggest misses of the Biden student debt relief plan and why it’s in danger of being PITOTWIU. Resources The Balance: How Much Trump's Tax Cuts Cost the Government World Population Review: Average Family Income 2022 PBS NewsHour: President Biden announces decision on student debt forgiveness Committee For a Responsible Federal Budget: New Student Debt Changes Will Cost Half a Trillion Dollars Penn Wharton Budget Model: The Biden Student Loan Forgiveness Plan: Budgetary Costs and Distributional Impact Josh Mitchell: The Debt Trap: How Student Loans Became a National Catastrophe UNFTR Episode Resources Student Debt. Modern Monetary Theory. Corporate (Ir)Responsibility (Part I) and (Part II). -- If you like #UNFTR, please leave us a rating and review on Apple Podcasts: unftr.com/rate and follow us on Facebook , Twitter and Instagram at @UNFTRpod. Visit us online at unftr.com . Buy yourself some Unf*cking Coffee at shop.unftr.com . Subscribe to Unf*cking The Republic on Substack at unftr.substack.com to get the essays these episode are framed around sent to your inbox every week. Check out the UNFTR Pod Love playlist on Spotify: spoti.fi/3yzIlUP. Visit our bookshop.org page at bookshop.org/shop/UNFTRpod to find the full UNFTR book list, and find book recommendations from our Unf*ckers at<a href="https://bookshop.org/lists/unf-ck
Fri, August 26, 2022
Show Notes [Ep 71: U.S. Healthcare.]
In today’s Show Notes Max and 99 talk for 30 hours…Okay, exaggeration. But they talk for a long while, because there’s a lot of U.S. healthcare feedback to run through, as the Unf*ckers are so smart and dedicated (as usual). All hail Nettie. Listen to U.S. Healthcare. Chapters Intro: 00:00:20 UNFTR Healthcare Update: 00:03:13 Emails: 00:08:13 Facebook Shout Outs: 01:57:12 Twitter Shout Outs: 02:02:30 Instagram Shout Outs: 02:05:05 Substack: 02:06:57 Buy Me A Coffee Donations + Memberships: 02:10:34 Reviews: 02:14:42 Resources Nettie's Fund Ron DeSantis Standing Maintenance Phase Podcast - Weight Watchers - Super Size Me -Jordan Peterson Part 1 and Part 2 Unf*cker-run Facebook Group Majority Report with John Abramson Nathan J. Robinson: The Intellectual We Deserve An Arm and a Leg Podcast Elisabeth Rosenthal: An American Sickness: How Healthcare Became Big Business and How You Can Take It Back UNFTR Artists -- If you like #UNFTR, please leave us a rating and review on Apple Podcasts: unftr.com/rate and follow us on Facebook , Twitter and Instagram at @UNFTRpod. Visit us online at unftr.com . Buy yourself some Unf*cking Coffee at shop.unftr.com . Subscribe to Unf*cking The Republic on Substack at unftr.substack.com to get the essays these episode are framed around sent to your inbox every week. Check out the UNFTR Pod Love playlist on Spotify: <a href="https://open.spotify.com/playlist/1PpzNXBub9FLngMradJByC?si=aba
Fri, August 26, 2022
All Hail Nettie.
A note for one of our original Unf*ckers. Sending our love, light, and thank yous to Nettie for being the patron saint of this show, and making us all better. If you're able, please consider donating to Nettie's fund: www.facebook.com/donate/1765854323761747/2174011309435518. Support the show: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/unftr See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Sat, August 20, 2022
U.S. Healthcare: America’s Hypocritical Oath.
Today we’re doing some level setting on healthcare in the U.S.—a long requested topic. We navigate this unf*cking based on direct queries from the Unf*ckers, creating a baseline that helps establish a foundation for related features down the road and an understanding of the moving parts and shared language for the challenges we face. Stay tuned, as next week we’re going to delve deep into the Affordable Care Act. Chapters Intro: 00:01:28 Chapter One: 00:02:40 Chapter Two: 00:09:31 Chapter Three: 00:18:32 Chapter Four: 00:32:54 Post Show Musings: 00:38:54 Book Love: 00:46:12 Pod Love: 00:48:03 Outro: 01:12:14 Resources The New York Times: Big Changes Are Coming for Health Care Costs Health System Tracker: National Health Spending Explorer GovTrack: H.R. 5376: Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 CMS.gov: NHE Fact Sheet Milton Friedman: How to Cure Health Care Medtronic: Annual Report Abbott Laboratories: Annual Report Stryker: 2021 Comprehensive Report HCA Healthcare, Inc: Annual Report Fierce Healthcare: Kaiser Permanente reports $8.1B net profit in 2021 despite shrinking operating income UHS: Annual Report UnitedHealth Group: Annual Report Humana: 2021 Annual Report Anthem, Inc: <a href="https://sec.report/Docu
Thu, August 18, 2022
Show Notes [Ep 69: Max Unfiltered + More.]
In today's Show Notes, Max and 99 shoot the shit and catch up on what the world’s been up to since they took a lil vacation. Listen to Max Unfiltered. Listen to A Chat with Tom McGovern. Listen to UNFTR x Best of the Left. Listen to The Clinton Years (Parts One, Two, and Three). Listen to UNFTR X News Beat. Chapters Intro: 00:00:20 Emails: 00:18:00 Facebook Shout Outs: 01:25:54 Twitter Shout Outs: 01:28:03 Buy Me A Coffee Donations + Memberships: 01:35:30 Reviews: 01:46:52 Outro: 01:48:58 Resources UNFTR Merch Store Uncertain Hour Podcast: Season One Unf*ckers Facebook Group Ike McCorkle (Colorado) Mother Country Radicals Podcast Chesa Boudin on News Beat Tom McGovern: Someone Ate My Corn Behind The Bastards: The Second American Civil War You Never Learned About UNFTR on Youtube The Captain’s Band (Hold Fast) -- If you like #UNFTR, please leave us a rating and review on Apple Podcasts: unftr.com/rate and follow us on Facebook , Twitter and Instagram at @UNFTRpod. Visit us online at unftr.com . Buy yourself some Unf*cking Coffee at shop.unftr.com . Subscribe to Unf*cking The Republic on Substack at unftr.substack.com to get the essays these episode are framed around sent to your inbox every week. Check out the UNFTR Pod Love playlist on Spotify: spoti.fi/3yzIlUP. Visit our bookshop.org page at bookshop.org/shop/UNFTRpod to find the full UNFTR book
Sun, August 14, 2022
UNFTR X News Beat: Missing & Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls & Two-Spirit People
Countless Indigenous women, girls, and two-spirit people go missing or are murdered across Canada and the United States in an ongoing genocide receiving inadequate attention from media, governments, and law enforcement. Who’s taking and killing them, and why isn’t more being done? News Beat podcast— Manny’s other love —speaks with Native women on both sides of the border who break down the causes and perpetrators of these atrocities and seek justice for the many mothers, daughters, sisters, aunties, and nieces, missing or slain. South Carolina (by way of New York) hip-hop sorceress LiKWUiD performs original verse to illuminate their mission, and the crisis. Access the accompanying episode here . -- If you like #UNFTR, please leave us a rating and review on Apple Podcasts: unftr.com/rate and follow us on Facebook , Twitter and Instagram at @UNFTRpod. Visit us online at unftr.com . Buy yourself some Unf*cking Coffee at shop.unftr.com . Subscribe to Unf*cking The Republic on Substack at unftr.substack.com to get the essays these episode are framed around sent to your inbox every week. Check out the UNFTR Pod Love playlist on Spotify: spoti.fi/3yzIlUP. Visit our bookshop.org page at bookshop.org/shop/UNFTRpod to find the full UNFTR book list, and find book recommendations from our Unf*ckers at bookshop.org/lists/unf-cker-book-recommendations . Access the UNFTR Musicless feed by following the instructions at unftr.com/accessibility . Unf*cking the Republic is produced by 99 and engineered by Manny Faces Media ( mannyfacesmedia.com ). Original music is by Tom McGovern ( tommcgovern.com ). The show is written and hosted by Max and distributed by 99. Podcast art description: Image of the US Constitution ripped in the middle revealing white text on a blue background that says, "Unf*cking the Republic." Support the show: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/unftr See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Wed, August 10, 2022
The Clinton Years (Parts One, Two, and Three)
This episode is a re-release of sorts. Due to the amount of positive feedback we received on our Clinton Years series, we decided to put the series together into one seamless episode to make it easier to share. Access the essays for Parts One , Two , and Three . Chapters Special Intro: 00:00:06 Prologue: 00:02:53 Chapter One: 00:07:36 Chapter Two: 00:32:26 Chapter Three: 00:40:31 Chapter Four: 00:52:42 Chapter Five: 01:16:21 Chapter Six: 01:26:39 Chapter Seven: 01:34:38 Chapter Eight: 01:43:36 Chapter Nine: 01:55:13 Chapter Ten: 02:01:03 Access the resources for Parts One , Two , and Three . Book Love Lily Geismer: Left Behind: The Democrats’ Failed Attempt to Solve Inequality Nathan J. Robinson: Superpredator: Bill Clinton’s Use and Abuse of Black America Bernard Harcourt: The Illusion of Free Markets: Punishment and the Myth of Natural Order Binyamin Appelbaum: The Economists’ Hour: False Prophets, Free Markets, and the Fracture of Society Matt Taibbi: Griftopia: A Story of Bankers, Politicians, and the Most Audacious Power Grab in American History Howard Zinn: A People’s History of the United States Michelle Alexander: The New Jim Crow: Mass Incarceration in the Age of Colorblindness -- If you like #UNFTR, please leave us a rating and review on Apple Podcasts: unftr.com/rate and follow us on Facebook , Twitter and Instagram at @UNFTRpod. Visit us online at unftr.com . Buy yourself some Unf*cking Coffee at shop.unftr.com . Subscribe to Unf*cking The Republic on Substack at unftr.substack.com to get the essays these episode are framed around sent to your inbox every week. Check out the UNFTR Pod Love playlist on Spotif
Sat, August 06, 2022
UNFTR x Best of the Left: America, A Beginner's Guide
If not for Best of the Left, we are not. The person who put UNFTR on the map has graciously allowed us to drop his very special 1,500th anniversary show on our feed. The episode is titled “America, A Beginner’s Guide” and it’s an earful. A masterpiece written, crafted and produced by our friend and mentor Jay Tomlinson, one of the pioneers of political podcasting. Access the transcript here . Resources Episode page The Jingles - Media Manipulation Tactic Explainer Songs Sally McConnell-Ginet: Words Matter Lulu Miller: Why Fish Don't Exist: A Story of Loss, Love, and the Hidden Order of Life Best of the Left on social: Facebook , Twitter , Instagram -- If you like #UNFTR, please leave us a rating and review on Apple Podcasts: unftr.com/rate and follow us on Facebook , Twitter and Instagram at @UNFTRpod. Visit us online at unftr.com . Buy yourself some Unf*cking Coffee at shop.unftr.com . Subscribe to Unf*cking The Republic on Substack at unftr.substack.com to get the essays these episode are framed around sent to your inbox every week. Check out the UNFTR Pod Love playlist on Spotify: spoti.fi/3yzIlUP. Visit our bookshop.org page at bookshop.org/shop/UNFTRpod to find the full UNFTR book list, and find book recommendations from our Unf*ckers at bookshop.org/lists/unf-cker-book-recommendations . Access the UNFTR Musicless feed by following the instructions at unftr.com/accessibility . Unf*cking the Republic is produced by 99 and engineered by Manny Faces Media ( mannyfacesmedia.com ). Original music is by Tom McGovern ( tommcgovern.com ). The show is written and hosted by Max and distributed by 99. Podcast art description: Image of the US Constitution ripped in the middle revealing white te
Thu, August 04, 2022
BONUS: A Chat with Tom McGovern
The man behind the curtain. The fifth Beatle. The ace up our sleeve. Max interviews UNFTR’s ultimate secret weapon, Tom McGovern. Tom is the genius behind the show’s myriad theme songs, signature parodies like Oh, Canada and Independent Platform Man and the musical touches sprinkled throughout our episodes. We convinced Tom to come out of the recording booth long enough for us to praise him. Then he saw his shadow and went back into the booth. Max and Tom have a wide ranging discussion about musical influences, acting and where the fuck all the baby pigeons are. Tom McGovern online Tom on Instagram Tom on TikTok Tom on YouTube Wolves of Glendale -- If you like #UNFTR, please leave us a rating and review on Apple Podcasts: unftr.com/rate and follow us on Facebook , Twitter and Instagram at @UNFTRpod. Visit us online at unftr.com . Buy yourself some Unf*cking Coffee at shop.unftr.com . Subscribe to Unf*cking The Republic on Substack at unftr.substack.com to get the essays these episode are framed around sent to your inbox every week. Check out the UNFTR Pod Love playlist on Spotify: spoti.fi/3yzIlUP. Visit our bookshop.org page at bookshop.org/shop/UNFTRpod to find the full UNFTR book list, and find book recommendations from our Unf*ckers at bookshop.org/lists/unf-cker-book-recommendations . Access the UNFTR Musicless feed by following the instructions at unftr.com/accessibility . Unf*cking the Republic is produced by 99 and engineered by Manny Faces Media ( mannyfacesmedia.com ). Original music is by Tom McGovern ( tommcgovern.com ). The show is written and hosted by Max and distributed by 99. Podcast art description: Image of the US Constitution ripped in the middle revealing white text on a blue background that says, "Unf*cking the Republic." Support the show: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/unftr See omnystudio.com/listene
Sat, July 30, 2022
Max, Unfiltered: Finishing the hat.
We bid Unf*ckers adieu for a couple of weeks with some quick ruminations about from whence we came and where we’re headed. In this brief reflection, Max and crew address the cacophony of issues swirling about in our heads as we head toward the midterms. There are countless battles to be fought and won in service of the planet. But for now, Max puts down the brushes and canvas and saves the hat for another day. Resources The Knowledge Project Ep. #83: Brian Koppelman: What Really Matters Julia Cameron: The Artist's Way UNFTR Episode Resources When We Leave: Afghanistan Tomorrow and Forever. Building the Climate Industrial Complex: Strange Bedfellows, Wildfires and Heat Waves. Playing Chicken with China: How Propaganda Rationalizes Conflict. Fox in the Outhouse: Invasion, Immigration & Inflation. New York’s Casual White Supremacy: Losing the Plot on Hochul & Buffalo Bills. Elon Gated: Billionaires and Their Toys. The End of Roe v. Wade: Extinguishing the Penumbra. Where is the Religious Left? Dissecting the American Theocracy. The School Shooting Script: Our Immunocompromised Body Politic. Obsession Over Recession Depression: Feeding the Economic HypeBeast. Amazon (Part 1): The Unfulfillment Company. The Clinton Years (Part One): Don't stop thinking about tomorrow. -- If you like #UNFTR, please leave us a rating and review on Apple Podcasts: unftr.com/rate and follow us on Facebook , Twitter and Instagram at @UNFTRpod. Visit us online at unftr.com . Buy yourself some Unf*cking Coffee at shop.unftr.com . Subscribe to Unf*cking The Republic on Substack at <a href="https://unftr.sub
Thu, July 28, 2022
Show Notes [Ep 68: The Clinton Years (Part Three)]
In today's Show Notes, Max and 99 discuss the finale of The Clinton Years and review Unf*cker feedback, share some book love and we hear from Manny Faces about his other project, News Beat. Listen to The Clinton Years (Part One). Listen to The Clinton Years (Part Two). Listen to The Clinton Years (Part Three). Chapters Intro: 00:00:00 Emails: 00:04:13 Facebook Shout Outs: 01:02:48 Manny's Corner: 01:06:24 Twitter Shout Outs: 01:11:49 Substack Shout Outs: 01:16:36 Buy Me A Coffee Donations + Memberships: 01:17:17 Outro: 01:29:08 Resources Unf*cker Facebook Group Oliver Stone's Untold History Of The United States Laurence Leamer: The Kennedy Men: 1901-1963 Howard Zinn: A People's History of the United States Nancy MacLean: Democracy in Chains: The Deep History of the Radical Right's Stealth Plan for America Jane Mayer: Dark Money: The Hidden History of the Billionaires Behind the Rise of the Radical Right Michelle Alexander: The New Jim Crow: Mass Incarceration in the Age of Colorblindness Krin Gabbard: Jammin' at the Margins: Jazz and the American Cinema to Collections Ruth Wilson Gilmore: Golden Gulag: Prisons, Surplus, Crisis, and Opposition in Globalizing California Marie Gottschalk: Caught: The Prison State and the Lockdown of American Politics News Beat Episodes: Racism Kills: Segregation's Role in the Buffalo Massacre Fusion Centers: Your Shadowy Neighborhood Spy Hubs Grifter's Paradise: Capitalism's Destruction of Afghanistan From Slave Patrols to Ahmaud Arbery Racist AI: Facial Recognition & Wrongful Arrests <p
Sat, July 23, 2022
The Clinton Years (Part Three): The Wolf in Sheep’s Clothing.
Part One of “The Clinton Years” examined Bill Clinton’s legacy through the lens of their foundation work and stubborn insistence on the private sector’s ability to cure everything from poverty to climate change. Part Two went back to the beginning to uncover the roots of Clinton’s neoliberal philosophy that would guide his decades in public service. In this final episode of the series, the rubber meets the road as we review the policies, laws and moments that have come to define the decade of the ‘90s and how Clinton’s legacy has negatively reverberated over time, contributed to the conservative makeover of the Democratic Party and planted the seeds for the culture wars of today. Chapters Intro: 00:00:04 Prologue: 00:02:06 Chapter Five: The first Black president. 00:06:00 Chapter Six: Housing. The American nightmare. 00:16:37 Chapter Seven: Clinton’s criminal injustice system. 00:24:35 Chapter Eight: It’s the economy, asshole. 00:33:34 Chapter Nine: Border wars. 00:45:11 Chapter Ten: Closing the book on Clinton. 00:51:01 Post Show Musings: 00:57:13 Book Love: 01:03:35 Outro: 01:04:51 Resources The Atlantic: It Was No Compliment to Call Bill Clinton ‘The First Black President’ Cornell Law School: Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigration Responsibility Act Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis: Has Wealth Inequality in America Changed over Time? Here Are Key Statistics Book Love Lily Geismer: Left Behind: The Democrats’ Failed Attempt to Solve Inequality Nathan J. Robinson: Superpredator: Bill Clinton’s Use and Abuse of Black America Bernard Harcourt: The Illusion of Free Markets: Punishment and the Myth of Natural Order Binyamin Appelbaum: The Economists’ Hour: False Prophets, Free Markets, and the Fracture of Society Matt Taibbi: Griftopia: A Story of Bankers, Politicians, and t
Thu, July 21, 2022
Show Notes [Ep 67: The Clinton Years (Part Two)]
In today's Show Notes, Max and 99 discuss listener feedback from Part Two of The Clinton Years, the powerful Jesse Jackson tie-in (including the incredible audio treatment courtesy of Manny Faces) , and Max hinted at how this three-part series was going to culminate. Listen to The Clinton Years (Part One). Listen to The Clinton Years (Part Two). Chapters Intro: 00:00:00 Emails: 00:10:23 Twitter Shout Outs: 01:20:09 IG Shout Outs: 01:24:22 Substack Shout Outs: 01:25:05 Buy Me A Coffee Donations + Memberships: 01:26:02 Reviews: 01:31:43 Outro: 01:31:11 -- If you like #UNFTR, please leave us a rating and review on Apple Podcasts: unftr.com/rate and follow us on Facebook , Twitter and Instagram at @UNFTRpod. Visit us online at unftr.com . Buy yourself some Unf*cking Coffee at shop.unftr.com . Subscribe to Unf*cking The Republic on Substack at unftr.substack.com to get the essays these episode are framed around sent to your inbox every week. Check out the UNFTR Pod Love playlist on Spotify: spoti.fi/3yzIlUP. Visit our bookshop.org page at bookshop.org/shop/UNFTRpod to find the full UNFTR book list, and find book recommendations from our Unf*ckers at bookshop.org/lists/unf-cker-book-recommendations . Access the UNFTR Musicless feed by following the instructions at unftr.com/accessibility . Unf*cking the Republic is produced by 99 and engineered by Manny Faces Media ( mannyfacesmedia.com ). Original music is by Tom McGovern ( tommcgovern.com ). The show is written and hosted by Max and distributed by 99. Podcast art description: Image of the US Constitution ripped in the middle revealing white text on a blue background that says, "Unf*cking the Republic." Support the show: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/unftr See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Sat, July 16, 2022
The Clinton Years (Part Two): Yesterday's gone.
In Part One of “The Clinton Years” we started our journey in the present day by examining the structure and programs of The Clinton Foundation. Many of Clinton’s earliest ideas in public service remain very much a part of the Clinton ethos and belief system to this day. Early evidence of the reliance on public/private partnerships and adherence to free market ideology can be found in Clinton’s formative years when the Democratic Party was reeling from Ronald Reagan’s takeover of the American political system. Part Two of “The Clinton Years” examines the roots of the Clinton philosophy and approach to government. Chapters Intro: 00:00:42 Chapter Two: Winner, winner, chicken dinner. 00:05:43 Chapter Three: Micro-finance as a macro policy. 00:13:47 Chapter Four: Between sunshine and rain…A Rainbow Coalition. 00:25:58 Post Show Musings: 00:45:03 Book Love: 00:45:37 Outro: 00:57:35 Resources The Baltimore Sun: Modest success marks Clinton era Arkansas remains poor, but has made gains in Democrat’s tenure U.S. News: Best States- Arkansas U.S. News: Best States- Massachusetts The New York Times: The President's Past Book Love Lily Geismer: Left Behind: The Democrats’ Failed Attempt to Solve Inequality Nathan J. Robinson: Superpredator: Bill Clinton’s Use and Abuse of Black America Bernard Harcourt: The Illusion of Free Markets: Punishment and the Myth of Natural Order UNFTR Episode Resources F*ck Milton Friedman. The Economics of Racism. The Clinton Years (Part One). -- If you like #UNFTR, please leave us a rating and review on Apple Podcasts: unftr.com/rate and follow us on Facebook , Twitter and Instagram at
Thu, July 14, 2022
Show Notes [Ep 66: The Clinton Years (Part One)]
In today's Show Notes Maxisode, 99 and Max discuss recent political changes across the globe, the state of conservative education outlets and what to expect from the upcoming Clinton episodes. Listen to The Clinton Years (Part One). Chapters Intro: 00:00:20 Emails: 00:02:03 Twitter Shout Outs: 00:52:19 Buy Me A Coffee Donations + Memberships: 00:59:33 Reviews: 01:07:41 Outro: 01:09:10 Resources William MacAskill: Doing Good Better: How Effective Altruism Can Help You Help Others, Do Work That Matters, and Make Smarter Choices about Giving Back to Collections Live For Live Music: Jam Bands And Hip-Hop Have More In Common Than You Think Forthright Radio: Jamie Susskind The Digital Republic: On Freedom & Democracy in the 21st Century In God We Lust Podcast Gangster Capitalism Podcast Hold Fast Gavin Newson Insulin Jen S. In the News Unf*ckers Facebook Group UNFTR Episode Resources Mass Incarceration: The War On Drugs. Libertarians Are Exhausting (Part 2). -- If you like #UNFTR, please leave us a rating and review on Apple Podcasts: unftr.com/rate and follow us on Facebook , Twitter and Instagram at @UNFTRpod. Visit us online at unftr.com . Buy yourself some Unf*cking Coffee at shop.unftr.com . Subscribe to Unf*cking The Republic on Substack at unftr.substack.com to get the essays these episode are framed around sent to your inbox every week. Check out the UNFTR Pod Love playlist on Spotify: spoti.fi/3yzIlUP. Visit our bookshop.org page at bookshop.org/shop/UNFTRpod to fi
Sat, July 09, 2022
The Clinton Years (Part One): Don't stop thinking about tomorrow.
When we think of prosperous eras in modern U.S. history, conservatives often point to the Reagan administration as a crucial turning point. To the corporate class, there’s a good deal of truth to this, but mostly to the extent that the seeds of neoliberalism planted in the 70s were watered during this period. The full blossom would come under President William Jefferson Clinton. Today, establishment democrats recall the Clinton years with the same fondness conservatives treat the Reagan era with. Forget the sex scandals, questionable real estate investments and swirling conspiracies about body counts. The real scandal of the Clinton 90s was the death of progressivism. Part One of “The Clinton Years” examines the legacy of Bill Clinton through the lens of the Clinton Foundation and how it continues to embody the neoliberal ideals of the New Democrats. Chapters Intro: 00:01:12 Chapter One: 00:07:10 Part One Closing Thoughts: 00:23:56 Post Show Musings: 00:27:39 Skit Flashback: 00:45:32 Resources Philanthropy News Digest: Future of Clinton Foundation Uncertain The New Yorker: How to Save the Clinton Foundation Clinton Foundation Annual Report 2020 Clinton Global Initiative Focus Areas Clinton Foundation Impact Statement The Washington Post: Foundation faceoff: The Trump Foundation vs. the Clinton Foundation Book Love Lily Geismer: Left Behind: The Democrats’ Failed Attempt to Solve Inequality -- If you like #UNFTR, please leave us a rating and review on Apple Podcasts: unftr.com/rate and follow us on Facebook , Twitter and Instagram at @UNFTRpod. Visit us online at unftr.com . Buy yourself some Unf*cking Coffee at shop.unft
Fri, July 08, 2022
Show Notes [Ep 65: Fuck U, PragerU.]
In today's Show Notes Maxisode, 99 has terrible audio (sorry!), we finally put the condiment war to rest and enjoy our usually smattering of Unf*cker write-ins on an assortment of topics like health care, the DNC and of course, PragerU. Listen to Fuck U, PragerU. Chapters Intro: 00:00:20 Emails: 00:12:41 Facebook Shout Outs: 01:13:27 Twitter Shout Outs: 01:17:35 Buy Me A Coffee Donations + Memberships: 01:28:56 Outro: 01:37:50 Resources Emily Ladau: Demystifying Disability: What to Know, What to Say, and How to Be an Ally Paul Starr: The Social Transformation of American Medicine: The Rise of a Sovereign Profession and the Making of a Vast Industry Michael Crichton: Five Patients In Sickness and in Wealth: American Hospitals in the Twentieth Century ACOG Guide to Language and Abortion The Independent: Bill Nye: ‘Voting is more important than recycling in fight against climate crisis’ Quartz: Ketchup isn’t the king of American condiments. Mayonnaise is Charity Navigator: Prager University Foundation TED: The way we think about charity is dead wrong UNFTR Episode Resources AOC & the Lying Men Hydra. Quickie: Fox in the Outhouse. Immigration Nation. Libertarians Are Exhausting (Part 1). Libertarians Are Exhausting (Part 2). -- If you like #UNFTR, please leave us a rating and review on Apple Podcasts: unftr.com/rate and follow us on Facebook , Twitter and<a href="https:/
Sat, July 02, 2022
Fuck U, PragerU: The Internet’s Fake Toxic University
For years, the propagandists with the greatest visibility in the United States were on television; the ones who contributed most to the “manufacture of consent.” Think Fox News. And we’ve covered many of the dark, hidden figures looming in the background churning out the ideas that make it into the mainstream and out of Tucker Carlson’s mouth. Uncle Milton, James Buchanan, Lewis Powell, The Koch Brothers, Robert Mercer, Peter Thiel and the myriad think tanks like Mercatus, Cato and Heritage. Today we cover another contributor to the perverted right wing ecosystem: Prager University and its folksy, baritone, asshole patriarch, Dennis Prager. Chapters Intro: 00:00:51 Chapter One: The sort of Jews but not actual Jews behind the hateful, spiteful, very awful no good university that isn’t a real university: 00:05:20 Chapter Two: Dennis the menace to society: 00:15:14 Coffee Break: 00:25:14 Chapter Three: So much fucking money: 00:26:16 Chapter Four: Bring it home, Max: 00:36:45 Post Show Musings: 00:41:50 Outro: 00:56:24 Resources PodVoices.Help Bloomberg: Billionaire Fracking Brothers Hammered by Permian Holdings Mint: Texas fracking billionaires drew Covid-19 aid while investing in rivals Financial Post: Wilks brothers-backed ProFrac valued at over $2 bln in Nasdaq debut Sludge: Who Funds PragerU’s Anti-Muslim Content? Buzzfeed: How PragerU Is Winning The Right-Wing Culture War Without Donald Trump Bridge Initiative Team: Factsheet: PragerU PragerU: Form 990 | Return of Organization Exempt From Income Tax 2021 Francesca Tripodi: Searching for Alternative Facts: Analyzing Scriptural Inference in Conservative News Practices Southern Poverty Law Center: Hungary Paid Dennis Prager $30,000 for an Hour of Appearances at Far-Right ‘Education’ Conf
Wed, June 29, 2022
Show Notes [Ep 64: $5 Gasoline + Unf*cking Flashback: Peak Oil.]
In today's Show Notes minisode we talk about the backwards SCOTUS decision and how we even got to this point, and chat about the $5 Gasoline episode as well as some older ones (The Assange Problem, Capitasociafascilibdemarxism, etc.). Listen to $5 Gasoline. Listen to Unf*cking Flashback: Peak Oil. Chapters Intro: 00:00:20 SCOTUS Chat: 00:03:00 Emails: 00:19:10 Facebook Shout Outs: 00:51:59 Twitter Shout Outs: 00:55:54 Substack Shout Outs: 01:09:27 Buy Me A Coffee Donations + Memberships: 01:14:01 Reviews: 01:28:32 MustardGate: 01:31:10 Outro: 01:42:48 Resources Emily Lambert: The Futures: The Rise of the Speculator and the Origins of the World's Biggest Markets Bernard E. Harcourt: The Illusion of Free Markets: Punishment and the Myth of Natural Order UNFTR: Capitasociafascilibdemarxism . District Sentinel Radio Nick Turse: Kill Anything That Moves: The Real American War in Vietnam UNFTR: The Assange Problem. Tim Pat Coogan: On the Blanket: The Inside Story of the IRA Prisoners' "Dirty" Protest Kieran Allen: 32 Counties: The Failure of Partition and the Case for a United Ireland The David McWilliams Podcast: The transformation of Ireland and what comes next Hot Ones: Daniel Radcliffe -- If you like #UNFTR, please leave us a rating and review on Apple Podcasts: unftr.com/rate and follow us on Facebook , Twitter and Instagram at @UNFTRpod. Visit us online at unftr.com . Buy yourself some Unf*cking Coffee at shop.unftr.com . Subscribe to Unf*cking The Republic on Substack at unftr.substack.com to get the essays these episode are framed around sent to your inbox every week. Check out the UNFTR Pod Love playlist on Spotify: <a href="https://open.spotify.com/playlist/1PpzNXBub9FLngMradJByC?si=abaed3d
Sat, June 25, 2022
$5 Gasoline: The Real Culprit Revealed.
I know, I know. Didn’t we just do this episode? Kinda, sorta. But not to this extent. In our Peak Oil episode we reviewed the history of oil as a commodity, currency and weapon on the world stage. This episode picks up where we left off to drill deeper (pun intended) into the story of crude and how it shows up as $5 gasoline at the pumps. We debunk several myths surrounding high gasoline prices and unequivocally point the finger at who’s to blame. Chapters Intro: 00:00:16 Part 1: 00:01:14 Part 2: 00:04:24 Part 3: 00:09:07 Part 4: 00:13:50 Part 5: 00:18:48 Post Show Musings: 00:26:11 Outro: 00:40:24 Resources Investopedia: Understanding the Correlation Between Oil and Currency Econbrowser: Gasoline price calculator EnergyWorld.com: How much for gas? Around the world, pain is felt at the pump EnergyWorld.com: Opinion: White House tries to blame US refiners for its own overheating error U.S Energy Information Administration: World liquid fuels production and consumption balance Statista: Daily demand for crude oil worldwide from 2006 to 2020, with a forecast until 2026* Marathon Petroleum Corporation: Marathon Petroleum Corp. Reports First-Quarter 2022 Results MacroMicro.me: US Dollar Index vs. Oil Price CNBC: China oil demand must remain weak or we will have tough summer, IEA’s Birol says The New York Times: Biden Pushes Congress for Three-Month Gas Tax Holiday UNFTR Epi
Fri, June 24, 2022
Unf*cking Flashback: Peak Oil.
Hey Unf*ckers, it’s Max. Just wanted to weigh in very quickly. This is an episode that we’ve dropped already, it’s called Peak Oil. We dropped it a few months back to try and explain why oil prices were so high. It is a very deep dive into the history of oil prices, commodities markets, and all of the factors that go into the price of oil and the exchanges that they’re traded on. So we go through the history of the Mercantile Exchange, adding oil as a commodity on the exchange in the early ’70s, the disruptions due to the Iranian oil embargo and the OPEC embargo in the ’70s, how that influenced the volatility and the pricing markets, all of the different actors and exchanges that grew along the way to begin to manipulate prices through to where we are today, to where there’s only a handful of players that really determine the market price of oil. Now, the reason that we’re re-dropping this particular one is because tomorrow we’re dropping a half Topical Cream, half full Unf*cking on the price of gasoline today. So what’s different is we discussed the history of oil pricing as a commodity and how it relates to gas prices and prices at the pump in this episode. But the one that we’re dropping tomorrow really drills more deeply into the inputs behind gas prices right now. When we say it’s $5 at the pump, how did it get there? What does that actually mean? So I feel like this first episode does a really good job explaining the market in general and how oil basically moves from the ground to wind up as something that’s traded on commodity exchanges. But the one that we’re going to drop tomorrow—again, half Topical Cream, half full Unf*cking—is really an explainer behind what drives the prices when you take that pump out of your hands at the gas station and you put it in your car. We’re going to explain why those fucking stickers that you see at the pump of Joe Biden being like “I did this,” couldn’t be further from the fucking truth. So we’re going to dispel a whole bunch of myths tomorrow. We’re going to pack you with enough information and resources to destroy all of the myths that you hear in the pundit class and in the mainstream media. And I know this is a really obnoxious thing to say, but I promise you everything that you’re hearing in the mainstream media and in that punditry class is wrong. They’re all getting it wrong, and we’ll explain why. So enjoy this re-release of Peak Oil and look out for the episode tomorrow titled $5 Gasoline. Chapters A Note From Max: 00:00:00 Intro: 00:04:24 Prologue: 00:07:28 Chapter 1: 00:10:21 Chapter 2: 00:13:53 Oil Rundown: 00:19:46 Skit: 00:27:32 Chapter 3: 00:31:20 Chapter 4: 00:44:16 Chapter 5: 00:53:51 Show Notes: 01:00:15 Book Love: 01:03:08 Pod Love: 01:08:54 Emails + Shout Outs: 01:24:07 Outro: 01:32:25 <p data-pm-slice="1 1 []"
Wed, June 22, 2022
Show Notes [Ep 63: Amazon (Part 2) + Phone a Friend.]
In today's Show Notes minisode we review Phone a Friend feedback, welcoming some Prestige Heads into the Unf*cking family, argue about the new Matilda movie and Max loses the ketchup v mustard debate. Listen to Amazon (Part 2). Listen to Phone a Friend. Chapters Intro: 00:00:20 Emails: 00:03:37 Facebook Shout Outs: 00:30:13 Twitter Shout Outs: 00:34:39 Buy Me A Coffee Donations + Memberships: 00:41:51 Reviews: 00:49:08 Outro: 00:50:40 Resources The Guardian: 'It was a great run': rebel grocer Pirate Joe's closes after lengthy legal battle Congressional Dish Podcast JSexton3: Bourbon Talk Drilled: This Is Not the First Time Climate Has Been Part of the "Culture War" The Intercept: Elephant In The Zoom: Meltdowns Have Brought Progressive Advocacy Groups to a Standstill at a Critical Moment in World History Jake Hanrahan: Megacorp Christy Harrison: Anti-Diet: Reclaim Your Time, Money, Well-Being, and Happiness Through Intuitive Eating -- If you like #UNFTR, please leave us a rating and review on Apple Podcasts: unftr.com/rate and follow us on Facebook , Twitter and Instagram at @UNFTRpod. Visit us online at unftr.com . Buy yourself some Unf*cking Coffee at shop.unftr.com . Subscribe to Unf*cking The Republic on Substack at unftr.substack.com to get the essays these episode are framed around sent to your inbox every week. Check out the UNFTR Pod Love playlist on Spotify: spoti.fi/3yzIlUP. Visit our bookshop.org page at bookshop.org/shop/UNFTRpod to find the full UNFTR book list, and find book recommendations from our Unf*ckers at bookshop.org/lists/unf-cker-book-recommendations . Acces
Mon, June 20, 2022
Phone a Friend: Daniel Bessner + Derek Davison of the American Prestige Podcast.
Our inaugural edition of Phone a Friend, where we interview luminaries in different fields, features Daniel Bessner and Derek Davison from the American Prestige podcast. The pair answer some easy questions on lighthearted topics like Israel/Palestine, the war in Ukraine, the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership and whether the United States even has a foreign policy anymore. Chapters Intro: 00:00:43 Israel/Palestine: 00:07:25 U.S. Relations with China: 00:16:51 Russia/Ukraine: 00:28:07 U.S. Foreign Policy: 00:39:16 Lightning Round: 00:44:37 Outro: 00:48:23 Resources American Prestige Podcast Daniel Bessner Daniel Bessner: Democracy in Exile Derek Davison Foreign Exchanges Substack A History of Modern Palestine w/ Rashid Khalidi Quincy Institute: Ending Primacy to End U.S. Wars Margaret MacMillan: The War That Ended Peace: The Road to 1914 Paul Thomas Chamberlin: The Cold War's Killing Fields: Rethinking the Long Peace Lindsey A. O'Rourke: Covert Regime Change: America's Secret Cold War The Atlantic: The One Key Word Biden Needs to Invoke on Ukraine -- If you like #UNFTR, please leave us a rating and review on Apple Podcasts: unftr.com/rate and follow us on Facebook , Twitter and Instagram at @UNFTRpod. Visit us online at unftr.com . Buy yourself some Unf*cking Coffee at shop.unftr.com . Subscribe to Unf*cking The Republic on Substack at unftr.substack.com to get the essays these episode are framed around sent to your inbox every week. Check out the UNFTR Pod Love playlist on Spotify: spoti.fi/3yzIlUP. Visit our bookshop.org page at bookshop.org/shop/UNFTRpod t
Sun, June 19, 2022
Introducing: Phone a Friend.
Here's a sneak peak at the inaugural drop of Phone a Friend, a new Unf*cking series where we interview people smarter than Max. (The possibilities are endless.) This episode features Daniel Bessner and Derek Davison from the incredible foreign policy podcast American Prestige. Resources Daniel Bessner Derek Davison American Prestige Podcast -- If you like #UNFTR, please leave us a rating and review on Apple Podcasts: unftr.com/rate and follow us on Facebook , Twitter and Instagram at @UNFTRpod. Visit us online at unftr.com . Buy yourself some Unf*cking Coffee at shop.unftr.com . Subscribe to Unf*cking The Republic on Substack at unftr.substack.com to get the essays these episode are framed around sent to your inbox every week. Check out the UNFTR Pod Love playlist on Spotify: spoti.fi/3yzIlUP. Visit our bookshop.org page at bookshop.org/shop/UNFTRpod to find the full UNFTR book list, and find book recommendations from our Unf*ckers at bookshop.org/lists/unf-cker-book-recommendations . Access the UNFTR Musicless feed by following the instructions at unftr.com/accessibility . Unf*cking the Republic is produced by 99 and engineered by Manny Faces Media ( mannyfacesmedia.com ). Original music is by Tom McGovern ( tommcgovern.com ). The show is written and hosted by Max and distributed by 99. Podcast art description: Image of the US Constitution ripped in the middle revealing white text on a blue background that says, ‘Unf*cking the Republic.’ Support the show: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/unftr See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Sat, June 18, 2022
Amazon (Part 2): The Unfulfillment Company.
In Part 1 of Amazon, the Unfulfillment Company, we reviewed Amazon’s rise from online bookseller to third largest company on the planet and well on its way to number one. The extreme focus on the customer is the centerpiece of founder Jeff Bezos’s philosophy and while it has increased consumerism and driven down prices on several categories of goods and services, it’s had big ripple effects in the wider economy and the labor market. Today’s episode picks up where we left off to examine the company’s earnings and acquisitions more closely and addresses how the company is one step ahead of efforts to break it up. We finish with some examples of victories and what must happen to contain Amazon’s influence before it becomes sentient and destroys us all. Or something like that. Chapters Part 1 Recap: 00:00:05 Intro: 00:02:17 Chapter Four: Big, Bigger, Biggest: 00:07:26 Chapter Five: It’s a matter of antitrust: 00:18:01 Chapter Six: Tiny Victories: 00:30:53 Epilogue: Bring it home, Max: 00:35:33 Post Show Musings: 00:42:49 Know Your Bills: 00:43:16 Outro: 00:57:57 Resources Business Insider: Jeff Bezos famously embraces failure. Here are the biggest flops Amazon has overcome under his watch. The New York Times: Amazon reports slowing sales growth and indicates slowdown may continue. Marketplace Pulse: Amazon Net Sales 1996-2022 World Population Review: GDP Ranked by Country 2022 Forex Sentiment Board: 10 Largest Companies with Highest Revenue in 2022 Insider Intelligence: Amazon annual revenue breakdown by segment in 2022 The Register: Cloud a three-player market dominated by AWS, Google, Microsoft CNBC: Amazon has a $31 billion a year advertising business E Marketer: Amazon has a larger advertising business than YouTube - Insider Intelligence Trends, Forecasts & Statistics Forbes: Amazon Buys MGM For $8.5 Billion: Deal Could Be Unwound I
Wed, June 15, 2022
Show Notes [FMF Day Bonus + Ep 62: Amazon (Part 1)]
In today's Show Notes minisode we continue to celebrate #FMF Day by reading Unf*cker’s scathing comments towards ‘ol Milty, continue to shit on Amazon (and even get some Elon digs in) and Manny regales us with some Newark/Atlanta stories. Listen to BONUS: Happy F*ck Milton Friedman Day. Listen to Amazon (Part 1). Chapters Intro: 00:00:20 Emails: 00:02:32 Facebook Shout Outs: 00:28:03 Twitter Shout Outs: 00:34:37 Instagram Shout Outs: 00:36:25 Substack Shout Outs: 00:41:12 Buy Me A Coffee Donations + Memberships: 00:41:51 Reviews: 00:46:15 Outro: 00:48:43 Resources Heather McGhee: The Sum of Us: What Racism Costs Everyone and How We Can Prosper Together to Collections UNFTR: The Economics of Racism. UNFTR: Student Debt. Mehrsa Baradaran: The Color of Money: Black Banks and the Racial Wealth Gap Richard Rothstein: The Color of Law: A Forgotten History of How Our Government Segregated America Michelle Alexander: The New Jim Crow: Mass Incarceration in the Age of Colorblindness Red Wine & Blue Website Red Wine & Blue FB Groups Best of the Left #1495 No One Supports the Economic Interests of Rural America News Beat: Why We Riot Chloe Maxmin + Canyon Woodward: Dirt Road Revival: How to Rebuild Rural Politics and Why Our Future Depends on It -- If you like #UNFTR, please leave us a rating and review on Apple Podcasts: unftr.com/rate and follow us on Facebook , Twitter and Instagram at @UNFTRpod. Visit us online at unftr.com . Buy yourself some Unf*cking Coffee at shop.unftr.com . Subscribe to Unf*cking The Republic on Substack at unftr.substack.com to get the essays these episode are framed around sent to your inbox every week. Check out the UNFTR Pod Love playlist on Spotify: <a href="https://open.spotify.com/play
Sun, June 12, 2022
Amazon (Part 1): The Unfulfillment Company.
The first of a two part series on Amazon. In many ways, Amazon is the logical extension of America’s perverted version of neoliberal capitalism. The self-described libertarian founder Jeff Bezos created a company with nearly 100% brand recognition that has permeated our daily lives in obvious ways and some not so obvious ways. In Part 1 we examine Amazon’s relationship with its hometown of Seattle, its obsessive focus on the customer to the exclusion of all else and how it built its power base in Washington D.C. Chapters Intro: 00:00:20 Chapter One: Seattle Not-so Super Sonic: 00:07:33 Chapter Two: Customer Centric: 00:17:32 Chapter Three: Gaming the System: 00:25:44 Coffee Break 00:19:22 Post Show Musings: 00:33:23 Pod Love: 00:56:21 Book Love: 00:57:02 Outro: 00:57:19 Resources Alec MacGillis: The Cynic: The Political Education of Mitch McConnell Danny Meyer: Setting the Table The Seattle Times: Seattle ended decade with faster growth than suburbs, reversing a 100-year trend The New York Times: The Amazon That Customers Don't See The Intercept: Amazon Gets Tax Breaks While Its Employees Rely On Food Stamps, New Data Shows The Guardian: Top Amazon boss privately advised US government on web portal worth billions to tech firm The Hill: Monopoly critics decry ‘Amazon amendment’ Book Love Alec MacGillis: Fulfillment: Winning and Losing in One-Click America Pod Love Pitchfork Economics -- If you like #UNFTR, please leave us a rating and review on Apple Podcasts: unftr.com/rate and follow us on Facebook , Twitter and Instagram at @UNFTRpod. Visit us online at unftr.com . Buy yourself some Unf*cking Coffee at shop.unftr.com . Subscribe to Unf*cking
Fri, June 10, 2022
BONUS: Happy F*ck Milton Friedman Day- Family Reunion Episode Celebrating Uncle Fartnoggin.
Manny Faces joins Max and 99 in studio for the first time ever. The three celebrate the dastardly legacy of Milton Friedman, reflect on the growth and evolution of the podcast and each reveal something new about themselves. It's a quick and breezy hang. Won't you join in? #FMF Listen to the original F*ck Milton Friedman episode. -- If you like #UNFTR, please leave us a rating and review on Apple Podcasts: unftr.com/rate and follow us on Facebook , Twitter and Instagram at @UNFTRpod. Visit us online at unftr.com . Buy yourself some Unf*cking Coffee at shop.unftr.com . Subscribe to Unf*cking The Republic on Substack at unftr.substack.com to get the essays these episode are framed around sent to your inbox every week. Check out the UNFTR Pod Love playlist on Spotify: spoti.fi/3yzIlUP. Visit our bookshop.org page at bookshop.org/shop/UNFTRpod to find the full UNFTR book list, and find book recommendations from our Unf*ckers at bookshop.org/lists/unf-cker-book-recommendations . Access the UNFTR Musicless feed by following the instructions at unftr.com/accessibility . Unf*cking the Republic is produced by 99 and engineered by Manny Faces Media ( mannyfacesmedia.com ). Original music is by Tom McGovern ( tommcgovern.com ). The show is written and hosted by Max and distributed by 99. Podcast art description: Image of the US Constitution ripped in the middle revealing white text on a blue background that says, ‘Unf*cking the Republic.’ Support the show: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/unftr See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Wed, June 08, 2022
Show Notes [Quickie 12: Congressional Summer School.]
In today's Show Notes minisode Max rides solo and struggles to understand how emails or social media work. Okay, it wasn't that bad. Max teases some new features that are coming later this summer, gets pumped up for Fuck Milton Friedman day, and has some fun chats with (to?) the listeners about the last few episodes. Listen to Congressional Summer School. Chapters Intro: 00:00:20 Emails: 00:09:21 Social Shout Outs: 00:45:46 Buy Me A Coffee Donations + Memberships: 00:54:49 Outro: 00:55:25 Resources Best of the Left: #1492 The Great Replacements (Conspiracy vs Reality) Chloe Maxmin + Canyon Woodward: Dirt Road Revival: How to Rebuild Rural Politics and Why Our Future Depends on It Stephen Marche: The Next Civil War: Dispatches from the American Future -- If you like #UNFTR, please leave us a rating and review on Apple Podcasts: unftr.com/rate and follow us on Facebook , Twitter and Instagram at @UNFTRpod. Visit us online at unftr.com . Buy yourself some Unf*cking Coffee at shop.unftr.com . Subscribe to Unf*cking The Republic on Substack at unftr.substack.com to get the essays these episode are framed around sent to your inbox every week. Check out the UNFTR Pod Love playlist on Spotify: spoti.fi/3yzIlUP. Visit our bookshop.org page at bookshop.org/shop/UNFTRpod to find the full UNFTR book list, and find book recommendations from our Unf*ckers at bookshop.org/lists/unf-cker-book-recommendations . Access the UNFTR Musicless feed by following the instructions at unftr.com/accessibility . Unf*cking the Republic is produced by 99 and engineered by Manny Faces Media ( mannyfacesmedia.com ). Original music is by Tom McGovern ( tommcgovern.com ). The show is written and hosted by Max and distributed by 99. Podcast art description: Image of the US Constitution ripped in the middle revealing white text on a blue background that says, ‘Unf*cking the Republic.’ <a href="https://www.buymeacoffee.com
Sat, June 04, 2022
Congressional Summer School: Shabooya Roll Call.
In today’s Quickie we’re going to look at three different bills or groupings of bills that represent the array of legislation that exists. Something old, something big and something new. At the end I’ll run through several bills that should be on everyone’s radar and we’ll link some helpful ways to advocate in show notes and on Substack. In terms of structure, I’ll provide a summary of the bill, tell you who’s behind it and who’s not, where it stands, what it does, what it theoretically costs and what’s at stake. Chapters Intro: 00:01:06 The 117th Congress: 00:04:39 Quickie One: A Two-Fer for First Nations 00:10:14 Quickie Two: The bare fucking minimum. 00:14:20 Coffee Break 00:19:22 Quickie Three: Reefer Madness 00:20:29 Post Show Musings: 00:33:31 Outro: 00:48:53 Resources GovTrack: Statistics and Historical Comparison Congress.gov: H.R.1688 - Native American Child Protection Act Indian Country Today: House passes Gallego and Young bill to protect Native American children Congress.gov: H.R.5444 - Truth and Healing Commission on Indian Boarding School Policies Act Congress.gov: H.R.4 - John R. Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act of 2021 Congress.gov: H.R.3617 - Marijuana Opportunity Reinvestment and Expungement Act ACLU: Vote Yes on H.R. 3617, Marijuana Opportunity Reinvestment and Expungement (More) Act Congress.gov: H.R.1996 - SAFE Banking Act of 2021 UNFTR Episode Resources Unf*cking Congress: And the Fucking Fuckers Who Fucked Us. Boarding Schools From Hell. The Itsfuckedforsure Bill. -- If you like #UNFTR, please leave us a rating and review on Apple Podcasts: unftr.com/rate and follow us on Facebook , Twitter and Instagram at @UNFTRpod. Visit
Thu, June 02, 2022
Show Notes [Topical Cream 5 + Ep 61: Obsession Over Recession Depression]
In today's Show Notes minisode we chat a lot about making change, how to cope with our current political system, and then end up fried from the 900 degree heat in the studio. Listen to Topical Cream 5: The School Shooting Script Listen to Obsession Over Recession Depression. Chapters Intro: 00:00:20 Emails: 00:02:19 Facebook Shout Outs: 01:23:52 Twitter Shout Outs: 01:24:54 Instagram Shout Outs: 01:31:43 Substack Shout Outs: 01:33:18 Buy Me A Coffee Donations + Memberships: 01:37:29 Reviews: 01:41:09 Outro: 01:43:09 Resources Libertarians Are Exhausting [Part I] Libertarians Are Exhausting [Part II] Cuba (Not So) Libre: "Vas Bien, Fidel." Best of the Left #1491 Mismanaging Capitalism Can Lead to Fascism (Inflation and the Working Class) Red Wine & Blue Website @progressive.waifus Instagram Behind the Bastards Part One: Kissinger -- If you like #UNFTR, please leave us a rating and review on Apple Podcasts: unftr.com/rate and follow us on Facebook , Twitter and Instagram at @UNFTRpod. Visit us online at unftr.com . Buy yourself some Unf*cking Coffee at shop.unftr.com . Subscribe to Unf*cking The Republic on Substack at unftr.substack.com to get the essays these episode are framed around sent to your inbox every week. Check out the UNFTR Pod Love playlist on Spotify: spoti.fi/3yzIlUP. Visit our bookshop.org page at bookshop.org/shop/UNFTRpod to find the full UNFTR book list, and find book recommendations from our Unf*ckers at bookshop.org/lists/unf-cker-book-recommendations . Access the UNFTR Musicless feed by following the instructions at unftr.com/accessibility . Unf*cking the Republic is produced by 99 and engineered by Manny Faces Media (<a hre
Sat, May 28, 2022
Obsession Over Recession Depression: Feeding the Economic HypeBeast.
We just came through the eighth “technical” recession over the past 50 years and many predict that another is around the corner. Depending upon who you believe we might already be in one, we are about to drop off a cliff or it’s only smooth sailing ahead. Today we talk about how to measure a recession, the different character of prior downturns and why it doesn’t really fucking matter to most of us. Chapters Intro: 00:00:51 Prologue: 00:01:48 Chapter One: Recessions Defined: 00:05:08 Chapter Two: Recessions of the Modern Era: 00:09:20 Coffee Break: 00:22:33 Chapter Three: Thwart. Mitigate. Or Fuck it. 00:23:43 Chapter Four: Yo Max, we gonna be okay or what? 00:36:01 Post Show Musings: 00:46:20 Outro: 01:03:13 Resources National Bureau of Economic Research: Business Cycle Dating The Balance: How Does the Fed Funds Rate Work, and What Is Its Impact? CBS: Mortgage rates jump above 4% — prompting borrowers to return to a staple of the housing bubble Macrotrends: Federal Funds Rate - 62 Year Historical Chart The Conference Board: US Leading Indicators St. Louis Fed: Personal Saving Rate Federal Reserve: Distribution of Household Wealth in the U.S. since 1989 Pod Love The Economist Asks: How will the war in Ukraine change the world economy? The David McWilliams Podcast: Living with inflation, the story of Turkey UNFTR Episode Resources Capitalism. Corporate (Ir)Responsibility (Part I). Corporate (Ir)Responsibility (Part II). F*ck Milton Friedman. Modern Monetary Theory. Peak Oil. <a hr
Fri, May 27, 2022
The School Shooting Script: Our Immunocompromised Body Politic.
It’s the same old script. Mass shooting occurs. Thoughts and prayers fly. Declarations are made. Fingers point. There’s something more insidious at play in this nation than just easy access to weapons and ammunition. Our propensity toward gun violence is indicative of a deeper illness. Like many difficult issues, it’s never just one thing but a confluence of deadly issues that plague our country. To fight for the “soul of the nation,” one has to first ask whether we ever had one to begin with. Resources BBC News: America's gun culture - in seven charts EducationWeek: School Shootings This Year: How Many and Where EducationWeek: School Shootings Over Time: Incidents, Injuries, and Deaths EducationWeek: School Shootings in 2021: How Many and Where EducationWeek: School Shootings in 2020: How Many and Where EducationWeek: School Shootings in 2019: How Many and Where EducationWeek: School Shootings in 2018: How Many and Where CNN: How US gun culture stacks up with the world The Violence Project: Explore the shooters, their backgrounds, guns and motivations . World Population Review: Standard of Living by Country | Quality of Life by Country 2022 Forever Wars: What America Does Abroad Is What America Does at Home -- If you like #UNFTR, please leave us a rating and review on Apple Podcasts: unftr.com/rate and follow us on Facebook , Twitter and Instagram at @UNFTRpod. Visit us online at unftr.com . Buy yourself some Unf*cking Coffee at shop.unftr.com
Thu, May 26, 2022
Show Notes [Topical Cream 4 + Ep 60: Student Debt.]
In today's Show Notes minisode we chat about the free market/student debt, hear from John Kane about Deb Haaland’s residential school report, and share a bunch of incredible insights from the most intelligent group of people: our Unf*ckers. Listen to Topical Cream 4: Boarding Schools From Hell. Listen to Student Debt: Hey Boomer, STFU. Chapters Intro: 00:00:46 Emails: 00:04:10 Facebook Shout Outs: 00:47:13 Twitter Shout Outs: 00:58:20 Instagram Shout Outs: 01:23:40 Substack Shout Outs: 01:25:01 Buy Me A Coffee Donations + Memberships: 01:27:05 Reviews: 01:29:03 Outro: 01:29:16 Resources Let’s Talk Native…With John Kane Wisconsin United To Amend (WIUTA) Noam Chomsky Interview Joel Wainwright and Geoff Mann: Climate Leviathan: A Political Theory Of Our Planetary Future -- If you like #UNFTR, please leave us a rating and review on Apple Podcasts: unftr.com/rate and follow us on Facebook , Twitter and Instagram at @UNFTRpod. Visit us online at unftr.com . Buy yourself some Unf*cking Coffee at shop.unftr.com . Subscribe to Unf*cking The Republic on Substack at unftr.substack.com to get the essays these episode are framed around sent to your inbox every week. Check out the UNFTR Pod Love playlist on Spotify: spoti.fi/3yzIlUP. Visit our bookshop.org page at bookshop.org/shop/UNFTRpod to find the full UNFTR book list, and find book recommendations from our Unf*ckers at bookshop.org/lists/unf-cker-book-recommendations . Access the UNFTR Musicless feed by following the instructions at unftr.com/accessibility . Unf*cking the Republic is produced by 99 and engineered by Manny Faces Media ( mannyfacesmedia.com ). Original music is by Tom McGovern ( tommcgovern.com ). The show is written and hosted by Max and distributed by 99. Podcast art description: Image of the US Constitution
Sat, May 21, 2022
Student Debt: Hey Boomer, STFU.
Various sources report that the Biden Administration is set to release its plan to deal with student indebtedness. Cancellation? Forgiveness? Refinance? Today’s episode covers the spirited debate surrounding student loan forgiveness and the structural issues that plague the American system of higher education. We cover the history of student loans and how perverse incentives, corporate greed and colleges with endless appetites for growth created a juggernaut of debt and bureaucracy no amount of forgiveness can fix. And, we build a case for policy measures that can restore some balance in the system. Chapters Prologue: 00:01:25 Intro: 00:03:08 Chapter One: So…How bad is it? 00:04:07 Chapter Two: The Best of Intentions: 00:13:02 Chapter Three: Take it away, Sallie Mae: 00:20:36 Coffee Break: 00:29:49 Chapter Four: The Tuition Death Spiral: 00:30:31 Chapter Five: To forgive or not to forgive? 00:35:25 Post Show Musings: 00:47:05 Outro: 01:09:07 Resources The Atlantic: Who Really Benefits From Student-Loan Forgiveness? Education Data Initiative: Student Loan Debt by Race Sallie Mae: Annual Report Sallie Mae: Proxy Satement The New York Times: Student Debt Is Crushing. Canceling It for Everyone Is Still a Bad Idea. Brookings: Student loan forgiveness is regressive whether measured by income, education, or wealth Jacobin: On Student Debt Forgiveness, Joe Biden Is Pushing Stringent Means-Testing Yet Again Federal Student Aid: Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) Book Love Josh Mitchell: The Debt Trap: How Student Loans Became a National Catastrophe -- If you like #UNFTR, please leave us a rating and review on Apple Podcasts: unftr.com/rate and follow us on Facebook , Twitter and<a href="https://www.instagram.com/u
Thu, May 19, 2022
Show Notes [Ep 59: Convention of States.]
In today's Show Notes minisode Max and 99 sort out some beef (tofu? #PlantF*cker), chat about our coffee partners on the Poospatuck Reservation, and somehow touch on every hot button issue under the sun. Listen to Convention of States. Chapters Intro: 00:00:20 Emails: 00:05:06 Facebook Shout Outs: 01:10:47 Twitter Shout Outs: 01:117:50 Buy Me A Coffee Donations + Memberships: 01:16:59 Reviews: 01:19:17 Outro: 01:19:40 Resources The David McWilliams Podcast: Scandinavian Models Opening Arguments Podcast: Constitutional Conventions & the “Proud Boys” News Beat Podcast: The Truth About Puerto Rico: A U.S. Colony The New York Times: How Tucker Carlson Stoked White Fear to Conquer Cable Salon: Kathryn Joyce Philip S. Gorski + Samuel L. Perry: The Flag and the Cross: White Christian Nationalism and the Threat to American Democracy Deconstructed Podcast: The Lab-Leak Theory Is Looking Stornger by the Day. Here’s What We Know. UNFTR Episode Resources Priorities: War, Wealth and Welfare. Dear Rebekkkah Mercer: A Love Letter To the Alt-Right's Sugar Mama. Fuck Milton Friedman: The Chicago School of Economics. The Economics of Racism: Bootstraps, Black Banks and Redlining. The Washington Consensus: Consensus is not consent. The Itsfuckedforsure Bill: And the Ghosts of Spending Bills Past. Pirates of the Caribbean: Debt, Diplomacy and Destruction. Fox in the Outhouse: Invasion, Immigration & Inflation. -- If you like #UNFTR, please leave us a rating and review on Apple Podcasts: unftr.com/rate and follow us on Facebook , Twitter and<a href="https://www.instagram.com/u
Wed, May 18, 2022
Boarding Schools from Hell: Indian Residential Schools in America
Imagine for a moment a breaking news story that more than 500 bodies of white children were found buried in unmarked graves at some of the most prestigious boarding schools in New England…That we discovered a federal plot to steal children, place them in forced labor camps within these schools and lie about their whereabouts when they died. And that the practice was in existence as recently as the 1960s. It would be fucking chaos. And rightly so. This exact scenario unfolded last week with the release of a Department of Interior report about the history of so-called “Indian Residential Schools” in the United States. No outcry. No outrage. No breaking news alerts. Just another day in the United States of Hypocrisy. Resources Lakota Times: Civilization Act United States Department of the Interior: Federal Indian Boarding School Initiative Investigative Report Indian Country Today: Report on federal Indian boarding schools due April 1 Congress.gov: H.R.5444 - Truth and Healing Commission on Indian Boarding School Policies Act Native American Boarding School Healing Coalition: Resolutions and Petitions Resistbot: Yes on H.R.5444 & S.2907 UNFTR Episode Resources Culture Cancel: The American Holocaust . Oh, Canada: Digging through America’s attic . New York’s Casual White Supremacy: Losing the Plot on Hochul & Buffalo Bills . -- If you like #UNFTR, please leave us a rating and review on Apple Podcasts: unftr.com/rate and follow us on Facebook , Twitter and Instagram at @UNFTRpod. Visit us online at unftr.com . Buy yourself some Unf*cking Coffee at shop.unftr.com . Subscribe to Unf*cking The Republic on Substack at unftr.substack.com to get the essays these episode are framed around sent to your inbox every week. Check out the UNFTR Pod Love playlist on Spotify:<a href="https://open.spotify.co
Sat, May 14, 2022
Convention of States: The Right Wing Takeover Has Only Just Begun.
For decades, right wing actors have been steadily tearing apart critical protections of our democracy and stacking the deck in their favor. Civil rights and liberties that were hard fought and then eventually assumed have slowly disappeared. Voting rights. Privacy. Worker projections. Economic mobility. And soon, as we now know, people’s rights to their own bodies. Nothing happens overnight and the process has been slow, steady and painful because the right wing in America is deliberate, organized and patient. Today we examine yet another long-term, right wing attempt to hijack the political system called a Convention of States. Libertarian conservatives have been playing a long chess game while Democrats and liberals have been playing checkers. Chapters Intro: 00:00:51 Chapter One: So what the fuck is this thing? 00:02:59 Chapter Two: What’s the end game here? 00:10:24 Chapter Three: Um, is this what the framers intended? 00:15:59 Chapter Four: We might need more states. 00:23:21 Chapter Five: Bring it home, Max. 00:32:50 Outro: 00:56:01 Resources Convention of States Action Common Cause: The Dangerous Path- Big Money’s Plan to Shred the Constitution SourceWatch: Convention of States Action Planned Parenthood: Griswold v. Connecticut The Guardian: In 2013 the supreme court gutted voting rights – how has it changed the US? UNFTR Episode Resources Stupid White Guy Olympics. F*ck Milton Friedman. Libertarians Are Exhausting (Part I). Libertarians Are Exhausting (Part II). -- If you like #UNFTR, please leave us a rating and review on Apple Podcasts: unftr.com/rate and follow us on Facebook , Twitter and Instagram at @UNFTRpod. Visit us online at<a hr
Thu, May 12, 2022
Show Notes [Topical Cream 3 + Ep 58: Where is the Religious Left?]
In today's Show Notes minisode we review Topical Cream + Religious Left feedback, work through some more Russia/Ukraine issues and Max tangents about the stock market for a bit (a while). Listen to Topical Cream: The End of Roe v. Wade Listen to Where is the Religious Left? Chapters Intro: 00:00:19 Emails: 00:07:04 Facebook Shout Outs: 00:49:55 Twitter Shout Outs: 00:57:12 Instagram Shout Outs: 01:00:34 Substack Shout Outs: 01:02:44 Buy Me A Coffee Donations + Memberships: 01:05:16 Reviews: 01:11:21 Outro: 01:12:10 Resources Straight White American Jesus Podcast Red Letter Christians Liberation Theology Professor André Gagné @Sunnshiiny Dr. Jetelina’s Newsletter Willamette Week: Carrick Flynn Says He’s No Instrument of Crypto Cash UNFTR: Corporate (Ir)Responsibility (Part I) + Corporate (Ir)Responsibility (Part II) . UNFTR: The Problem with Conscious Capitalism. Kristin Kobes Du Mez: Jesus and John Wayne: How White Evangelicals Corrupted a Faith and Fractured a Nation A Little Bit Culty: Samantha Freedom on Leaving The Alt-Right Behind The Bastards: John Wayne: A Dude Who Sucked Straight White American Jesus’ Patreon Mean Girls: Kevin G’s Rap -- If you like #UNFTR, please leave us a rating and review on Apple Podcasts: unftr.com/rate and follow us on Facebook , Twitter and Instagram at @UNFTRpod. Visit us online at unftr.com . Buy yourself some Unf*cking Coffee at s
Sat, May 07, 2022
Where is the Religious Left? Dissecting the American Theocracy.
Since the Civil War, white Christians in this country have swung wildly between advancing a social doctrine of equality and promoting outright racism, nationalism and hatred of the poor. Since the Eisenhower years, however, Christians of all stripes have decidedly split along similar fault lines to our politics. While secularists and the so-called religious left represent the majority of Americans, the fervent white Christian nationalist wing of the country seems to be fully in control of the national agenda. We invited Brad Onishi from the Straight White American Jesus podcast to help us unpack the divide between the religious right and left in the United States. Chapters A note about our episode collaborator: 00:00:08 Intro: 00:01:04 Chapter One. Framing the Inquiry: Capitalism as Religion: 00:06:16 Brad One: 00:15:34 Chapter Two: Thou Shalt Not Feed the Poor: 00:20:56 Chapter Three: White, Right and Organized as Fuck: 00:30:12 Brad Two: 00:37:17 Chapter Four: Splintering Alliances: 00:39:21 Brad Three: 00:41:25 Chapter Five: Bring it home, Brad and Max. But mostly Brad: 00:46:19 Brad Four: 00:46:44 Brad Five: 00:49:50 Post Show Musings: 00:57:33 Outro: 01:09:13 Resources PBS: God in the White House PRRI: The American Religious Landscape in 2020 Pew Research Center: Republicans account for a small but steady share of U.S. Muslims Pew Research Center: U.S. Jews’ political views Pew Research Center: Party affiliation among Hindus Pew Research Center: Party affiliation among Buddhists Pew Research Center: Party affiliation among atheists The New Republic: Whither the Religious Left? UNFTR Episode Resources Capitalism. The Prosperity Doctrine. F*ck Milton Friedman. Book Love <p
Thu, May 05, 2022
The End of Roe v. Wade: Extinguishing the Penumbra.
They’ve done it. Well, they’re about to. As much as we all knew this was coming it’s still stunning. Today’s Topical Cream presses the obvious point that we live under the tyranny of the minority. The racist, white nationalist, right-wing, Christian fucking minority that elected two illegitimate Presidents who appointed the sitting majority of the Supreme fucking Court. Max and 99 trade off thoughts on the SCOTUS leak, the awful minority and the feckless democrats elected to “protect” our interests. All of that in just one Cream. Resources Supreme Court Clips: Supreme Court Clips: Roe v. Wade - Sarah Weddington's argument Politico: Supreme Court has voted to overturn abortion rights, draft opinion shows Pew Research Center: About six-in-ten Americans say abortion should be legal in all or most cases Guttmacher Institute: Roe v. Wade in Peril: Our Latest Resources Axios: Collins says Kavanaugh and Gorsuch possibly broke promise on Roe v. Wade The 19th News: Jessica Cisneros takes on the last anti-abortion U.S. House Democrat Gallup: Approval of U.S. Supreme Court Down to 40%, a New Low UNFTR Episode Resources Procedural Fuckery. Midterms, Primaries and Get Out the Vote. -- If you like #UNFTR, please leave us a rating and review on Apple Podcasts: unftr.com/rate and follow us on Facebook , Twitter and Instagram at @UNFTRpod. Visit us online at unftr.com . Buy yourself some Unf*cking Coffee at shop.unftr.com . Subscribe to Unf*cking The Republic on Substack at unftr.substack.com to get the essays these episode are framed around sent to your inbox every week. Check out the UNFTR Pod Love playlist on Spotify: spoti.fi/3yzIlUP.
Wed, May 04, 2022
Show Notes [Episode 57: Dem Bums.]
In today's Show Notes minisode, we review some Dem Bums episode feedback (as well as some leftover Military Film Complex feedback), discuss how the Democratic Party sucks ~writ large~ and Max ages himself by talking about something called B. J. and the Bear. Listen to the main episode accompaniment here Chapters A Quick Note: 00:0:21 Intro: 00:01:06 Emails: 00:10:24 Facebook Shout Outs: 00:38:41 Twitter Shout Outs: 00:42:42 Instagram Shout Outs: 00:51:44 Substack Shout Outs: 00:52:10 Buy Me A Coffee Donations + Memberships: 00:53:08 Reviews: 00:58:48 Outro: 01:01:26 Resources Harvey Singh: Why Is American Healthcare So Expensive: Solving the Puzzle of American Healthcare Costs to Build a Low-Cost System Bob G. Shupe: Behind the Healthcare Cost Curtain: there is an answer MD David G. Brown: Why Healthcare Costs So Much Grave of the Fireflies H Bruce Franklin: M.I.A. or Mythmaking in America John M. Barry: Rising Tide: The Great Mississippi Flood of 1927 and How It Changed America UNFTR Episode Resources Stupid White Guy Olympics. From Bull Moose to Jackass. -- If you like #UNFTR, please leave us a rating and review on Apple Podcasts: unftr.com/rate and follow us on Facebook , Twitter and Instagram at @UNFTRpod. Visit us online at unftr.com . Buy yourself some Unf*cking Coffee at shop.unftr.com . Subscribe to Unf*cking The Republic on Substack at unftr.substack.com to get the essays these episode are framed around sent to your inbox every week. Check out the UNFTR Pod Love playlist on Spotify: spoti.fi/3yzIlUP. Visit our bookshop.org page at bookshop.org/shop/UNFTRpod to find the full UNFTR book list, and find book recommendations from our Unf*ckers at bookshop.org/lists/unf-cker-book-recom
Sat, April 30, 2022
Dem Bums: 50 Shades of Blue.
You can’t do the big things if you can’t do the little things. A friend of mine used to say this all the time. And it reminds me of the Democratic Party - a party that can’t seem to move the needle on the big, meaningful stuff because they’re always fighting about procedural issues that prevent the nation from moving forward. Has the right wing lost its fucking mind in this country? Sure. But they’re not the reason democrats are so dysfunctional. The Democratic Party is riddled with self-inflicted wounds, some of which we expose in today’s episode including a profile of one of the party’s worst actors: Josh Gottheimer. Chapters Intro: 00:02:17 Chapter One: Meet Josh: 00:06:40 Chapter Two: No Labels: 00:15:28 Chapter Three: Caucus, meet money. Money, meet caucus: 00:20:34 Chapter Four: Bring it home, Max: 00:26:30 Post Show Musings: 00:31:52 Outro: 00:34:39 Resources Visual Capitalist: All of the World’s Wealth in One Visualization United Nations Development Programme: Latest Human Development Index Ranking Open Secrets: Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez Open Secrets: Election objectors are among the GOP’s highest fundraisers ahead of Jan. 6 anniversary GovTrack: Rep. Josh Gottheimer Jacobin: By Backing a Huge Tax Giveaway to the Rich, Democrats Are Giving the GOP a Perfect Midterm Gift The Orange County Register: Porter-backed bill seeks to restore SALT deductions capped under 2017 tax act Politico: Josh Gottheimer is taunting the ‘far left.’ He’s still unlikely to face a serious primary. The New York Times: Private Equity Funds, Sensing Profit in Tumult, Are Propping Up Oil Commercial Observer: How Blackstone Became the Biggest Private Landlord — And What That Means Open Secretes:<a href="https:
Thu, April 28, 2022
Elon Gated: Billionaires and Their Toys.
The second installment of topical cream peers into the petty world of the billionaire class and the purchase of Twitter by racist enabler and inventor of nothing Elon Musk. Resources Good Jobs First: Los Angeles Times Stirs Debate: Elon Musk’s Use of Subsidies at Tesla, SpaceX, and SolarCity The New York Times: Judge reduces $137 million penalty against Tesla over factory racism. Time: How Elon Musk Built His Fortune—And Became the Richest Private Citizen in the World The Wrap: Elon Musk Dragged Hard After Saying He’s a ‘Socialist’ – and Marx Was a Capitalist The New York Times: Elon Musk details his plan to pay for a $46.5 billion takeover of Twitter. Insider: Elon Musk ruthlessly cleaned house of any Tesla workers who disagreed or got in his way, a new book says Stanford Center on Poverty and Inequality: 20 Facts About U.S. Inequality that Everyone Should Know Economic Policy Institute: CEO pay has skyrocketed 1,322% since 1978 Public Citizen: Citizens United 10 Years Later: 25 Ultrarich People Have Spent $1.4 Billion on Elections UNFTR Episode Resources Fuck Milton Friedman: The Chicago School of Economics. Manufacturing Dissent: How We Let an Aussie Destroy the U.S. -- If you like #UNFTR, please leave us a rating and review on Apple Podcasts: unftr.com/rate and follow us on Facebook , Twitter and Instagram at @UNFTRpod. Visit us online at unftr.com . Buy yourself some Unf*cking Coffee at shop.unftr.com . Subscribe to Unf*cking The Republic on Substack at<a href="https:
Wed, April 27, 2022
Show Notes [Episode 56: The Military Film Complex.]
In today's Show Notes minisode, we review some Military Film Complex episode feedback, discuss progressive candidate suggestions from Unf*ckers, and talk about the genius of Tom McGovern! Listen to the main episode accompaniment here Chapters Intro: 00:00:20 Emails: 00:03:36 Facebook Shout Outs: 00:34:22 Twitter Shout Outs: 00:40:39 Buy Me A Coffee Donations + Memberships: 01:04:38 Outro: 01:15:29 Resources Kristin Kobes Du Mez: Jesus and John Wayne: How White Evangelicals Corrupted a Faith and Fractured a Nation Eduardo Galeano: Open Veins of Latin America: Five Centuries of the Pillage of a Continent VenezuelAnalysis.com The Indestructible Podcast La Verdadera Historia de México Podcast Presidente AMLO. Conferencias matutina Podcast Todo Psicodélico with Alex de León Podcast La Voz de los Hongos Podcast Sonidos de la Nación Zapoteca Podcast Música Ambiental Psicodélico Podcast Ídolo: The Ballad of Chalino Sánchez Podcast Tony Shaw: Hollywood's Cold War Wil Haygood: Colorization: One Hundred Years of Black Films in a White World Paul S. Hirsch: Pulp Empire: The Secret History of Comic Book Imperialism -- If you like #UNFTR, please leave us a rating and review on Apple Podcasts: unftr.com/rate and follow us on Facebook , Twitter and Instagram at @UNFTRpod. Visit us online at unftr.com . Buy yourself some Unf*cking Coffee at<a hr
Sat, April 23, 2022
The Military Film Complex: Destroying the Myth of Liberal Hollywood.
Trendsetter or follower? Hollywood has made over 5,000 war films in the past 100 years. Today’s episode probes whether Hollywood has been complicit in building a culture of warmongering and nationalism, whether inadvertently or by design. With a little help from our friend Krin - who has authored three books on Hollywood - and a handful of other resources, we look back over a few different eras in Hollywood and try to figure out whether the industry is holding up a mirror or influencing our feelings toward war. One thing the episode destroys is the myth that Hollywood is the cultural mouthpiece for the left. Chapters Intro: 00:01:49 Chapter One: Hollywood Doesn’t Fit Neatly in Any Box: 00:04:25 Chapter Two: A Deep History of Influence: 00:10:04 Chapter Three: Hollywood Goes to War: 00:19:05 Chapter Four: Influencer or Mirror: 00:28:06 Chapter Five: The Persistent Liberal Hollywood Myth: 00:38:54 Post Show Musings: 00:54:52 Outro: 01:16:58 Resources The Atlantic: What's Wrong With 'The Hurt Locker' NPR: Remembering Hollywood's Hays Code, 40 Years On IMDb: War (Sorted by US Box Office Descending) The Guardian: Conflict of interest: why Hollywood failed to honestly address the ‘war on terror’ Military.com: Why John Wayne Was Labeled a ‘Draft Dodger’ During World War II Book Love Jack G. Shaheen: Reel Bad Arabs: How Hollywood Vilifies a People Ernest Giglio: Here's Looking at You: Hollywood, Film and Politics, Fourth Edition Michael Ryan and Douglas Kellner: Camera Politica: The Politics of Contemporary Hollywood Film Krin’s Books: Psychiatry and the Cinema Black Magic: White Hollywood and African American Culture Jammin' at the Margins: Jazz and the American Cinema -- If you like #UNFTR, please
Thu, April 21, 2022
Drill Man, Drill: Biden's Broken Promise.
Welcome to Topical Cream , a new, periodic UNFTR segment with an appropriately cringeworthy title for fuckery in the news. Our aim with these segments is to tackle more timely and newsworthy events that either relate to previous Unf*cking narratives or to set up future episodes. Our inaugural Cream finds us back in the world of crude oil and commodities with the recent capitulation on the part of the Biden administration to the oil and gas industry. Resources OilPrice.com: Oil Price Charts CNBC: U.S. to release 1 million barrels of oil per day from reserves to help cut gas prices The New York Times: Biden Plans to Open More Public Land to Drilling Poynter: President Biden claimed that there are 9,000 unused oil drilling permits. That’s mostly true. EIA: Short-Term Energy Outlook UNFTR: Peak Oil. -- If you like #UNFTR, please leave us a rating and review on Apple Podcasts: unftr.com/rate and follow us on Facebook , Twitter and Instagram at @UNFTRpod. Visit us online at unftr.com . Buy yourself some Unf*cking Coffee at shop.unftr.com . Subscribe to Unf*cking The Republic on Substack at unftr.substack.com to get the essays these episode are framed around sent to your inbox every week. Check out the UNFTR Pod Love playlist on Spotify: spoti.fi/3yzIlUP. Visit our bookshop.org page at bookshop.org/shop/UNFTRpod to find the full UNFTR book list, and find book recommendations from our Unf*ckers at bookshop.org/lists/unf-cker-book-recommendations . Access the UNFTR Musicless feed by following the instructions at unftr.com/accessibility . Unf*cking the Republic is produced by 99 and engineered by Manny Faces Media (<a href="https:/
Wed, April 20, 2022
Show Notes [Quickie 11: Midterms, Primaries and Get Out the Vote.]
In today's Show Notes minisode, we continue our conversation about the midterm/primary candidates (with special insight from Manny Faces), talk unf*cking cannabis and hear some McFleshman’s beer feedback! Listen to the main episode accompaniment here Chapters Intro: 00:00:20 Emails: 00:03:20 Twitter Shout Outs: 01:03:48 Buy Me A Coffee Donations + Memberships: 01:06:26 Reviews: 01:09:48 Outro: 01:13:21 Resources Analyze Phish Podcast Nathan Rabin: You Don't Know Me But You Don't Like Me: Phish, Insane Clown Posse, and My Misadventures with Two of Music's Most Maligned Tribes Thomas J. Sugrue: The Origins of the Urban Crisis: Race and Inequality in Postwar Detroit Jodie Adams Kirshner: Broke: Hardship and Resilience in a City of Broken Promises @EitanTheGoalie: Jewish Or Antisemitic TikTok Series -- If you like #UNFTR, please leave us a rating and review on Apple Podcasts: unftr.com/rate and follow us on Facebook , Twitter and Instagram at @UNFTRpod. Visit us online at unftr.com . Buy yourself some Unf*cking Coffee at shop.unftr.com . Subscribe to Unf*cking The Republic on Substack at unftr.substack.com to get the essays these episode are framed around sent to your inbox every week. Check out the UNFTR Pod Love playlist on Spotify: spoti.fi/3yzIlUP. Visit our bookshop.org page at bookshop.org/shop/UNFTRpod to find the full UNFTR book list, and find book recommendations from our Unf*ckers at bookshop.org/lists/unf-cker-book-recommendations . Access the UNFTR Musicless feed by following the instructions at unftr.com/accessibility . Unf*cking the Republic is produced by 99 and engineered by Manny Faces Media ( mannyfacesmedia.com ). Original music is by Tom McGovern ( tommcgovern.com ). The show is written and hosted by Max and distributed by 99. Podcast art descrip
Sat, April 16, 2022
Midterms, Primaries and Get Out the Vote: Send the Blue Dogs to the Pound.
Dems are already in the fetal position crying over races they have yet to lose and blaming progressives for losing them. Fuck that. Today we look at three upcoming races (two Senate, one House) that demonstrate how much the landscape has changed for progressives and the importance of primaries. The Democratic establishment is lining up against very capable progressive candidates in key races in Wisconsin, Pennsylvania and Texas. Two of these races are messy, but hold great promise for the balance of power in the Senate. The third is one that we invite everyone to support because it’s a no-fucking-brainer. Chapters Intro: 00:00:28 Prologue: 00:01:23 Battleground- Wisconsin: 00:09:44 Battleground- Pennsylvania: 00:21:30 Battleground- Texas: 00:28:06 Closing Thoughts: 00:31:45 Post Show Musings: 00:35:21 Outro: 00:50:35 Resources Ballotpedia: United States Senate election in Wisconsin, 2022 Ballotpedia: Alex Lasry Rolling Stone: Can Justice Democrats Pull Off a Progressive Coup in Congress? NPR: The top 10 Senate seats that are most likely to flip to the other party Politico: D.C. Dems get out of frontrunner Fetterman's way in Pennsylvania The New York Times: John Fetterman, Senate Candidate, Revisits Gun Incident Involving Black Jogger Ballotpedia: Jessica Cisneros Jessica Cisneros’ Facebook Jessica Cisneros’ Website The New Republic: Georgia Is the Midterm Ground Zero for America’s Political Future UNFTR Episode Resources From Bullmoose to Jackass. Labor Unions. Peak Oil. New York’s Casual White Supremacy. -- If you like #UNFTR, please leave us a rating and review on Apple Podcasts: unftr.com/rate and follow us on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/Unfucking-Th
Wed, April 13, 2022
Show Notes [Ep 55: New York's Casual White Supremacy.]
In today's Show Notes minisode, we hear a bit more from John Kane of Let's Talk Native, have a lengthy conversation about how to deal with Trump-supporting parents, and read Bobby McD's new inscription for the Statue of Liberty. Listen to the main episode accompaniment here Chapters Intro: 00:00:20 Emails: 00:03:33 Facebook Shout Outs: 00:51:16 Twitter Shout Outs: 00:57:46 Instagram Shout Outs: 01:01:02 Substack Shout Outs: 01:01:52 Buy Me A Coffee Donations + Memberships: 01:03:39 Lady Liberty's New Inscription: 01:05:35 Outro: 01:07:41 Resources Steve Keen: Debunking Economics: The Naked Emperor Dethroned? Jane Mayer: Dark Money: The Hidden History of the Billionaires Behind the Rise of the Radical Right Yanis Varoufakis: Talking to My Daughter About the Economy Roxanne Dunbar-Ortiz: Not a Nation of Immigrants: Settler Colonialism, White Supremacy, and a History of Erasure and Exclusion A Little Bit Culty Podcast: The Breakup: Samantha Freedom on Leaving The Alt-Right IndoctriNation Podcast: Qanon Casualties w/ Jitarth Jadeja UNFTR: How to Talk About the Trump Years UNFTR: Quickie: Invasion, Immigration & Inflation Flight of The Conchords: She's So Hot Boom -- If you like #UNFTR, please leave us a rating and review on Apple Podcasts: unftr.com/rate and follow us on Facebook , Twitter and Instagram at @UNFTRpod. Visit us online at unftr.com . Buy yourself some Unf*cking Coffee at shop.unftr.com . Subscribe to Unf*cking The Republic on Substack at unftr.substack.com to get the essays these episode are framed around sent to your inbox every week. Check out the UNFTR Pod Love playlist on Spotify: spoti.fi/3yzIlUP. Visit our bookshop.
Sat, April 09, 2022
New York’s Casual White Supremacy: Losing the Plot on Hochul & Buffalo Bills.
A run-of-the-mill, one-day news story about a billionaire holding a city hostage over a sports team and a new stadium buried the lede on the dark underbelly of Native American relations with the U.S. government. New York State agreed to finance a significant chunk of the $1.4 billion stadium for the Buffalo Bills, an NFL team owned by a billionaire worth 5.5x that amount. A deal done almost entirely behind closed doors. Beyond the myriad conflicts of interest within the governor’s office is the more insidious story, ignored almost entirely by the media, of where the state “found” the money to pay for it. Chapters Prologue: 00:01:36 Chapter One: Billionaire Rules: 00:04:53 Chapter Two: Hidden from View: 00:10:55 Chapter Three: The Tangled Web of F*ckery: 00:16:46 Post Show Musings: 00:34:26 A Manny Interlude: 00:46:03 Post Show Musings Show Notes?: 00:47:21 Unf*cking Down Under Feedback: 00:48:24 Outro: 01:07:55 Support First Nation’s Causes There are a number of charitable organizations that support First Nation’s causes (see a few below). However, we're firm believers in local support and making connections with First Nation’s peoples. If possible, endeavor to get in touch with the community center at the nearest tribal territory and inquire as to the best way to provide direct support to maximize impact. Stand With Standing Rock Let's Talk Native... with John Kane Patreon First Nations University of Canada Resources The New York Times: Buffalo Bills Strike Deal for Taxpayer-Funded $1.4 Billion Stadium The Guardian: Buffalo Bills will receive $850m from New York taxpayers to build new stadium U.S. News: Bills' New Stadium Deal Carries $850M Taxpayer Tab, Gov Says The Atlantic: Sports Stadiums Are a Bad Deal for Cities Sports Illustrated: <a href="https://www.si.com/nfl/2021/08/02/austin-bills-shows-nfl-owners-are-running-out-of-stadium-
Wed, April 06, 2022
Show Notes [Ep 54: Unf*cking Down Under.]
In today's Show Notes minisode, Max abandons 99 and delirium takes hold as she struggles to do show notes by herself. Listen to the main episode accompaniment here Chapters Intro: 00:00:20 Emails: 00:01:13 Facebook Shout Outs: 00:10:48 Twitter Shout Outs: 00:10:59 Instagram Shout Outs: 00:13:53 Substack Shout Outs: 00:16:24 Buy Me A Coffee Donations + Memberships: 00:38:00 Reviews: 00:41:29 Outro: 00:20:41 Resources UNFTR Quickie: The World in Numbers Dr. James E. Hansen Newsletter TED Radio Hour: James Hansen: What Makes A Scientist Take A Stand? Why Is This Happening? Podcast: Breaking down the future of energy with Jonah Goldman Michael Parenti: Blackshirts and Reds: Rational Fascism and the Overthrow of Communism Leigh Phillips + Michal Rozworski: The People's Republic of Walmart: How the World's Biggest Corporations Are Laying the Foundation for Socialism Deconstructing American Conservatism Podcast Shane Warne Documentary -- If you like #UNFTR, please leave us a rating and review on Apple Podcasts: unftr.com/rate and follow us on Facebook , Twitter and Instagram at @UNFTRpod. Visit us online at unftr.com . Buy yourself some Unf*cking Coffee at shop.unftr.com . Subscribe to Unf*cking The Republic on Substack at unftr.substack.com to get the essays these episode are framed around sent to your inbox every week. Check out the UNFTR Pod Love playlist on Spotify: spoti.fi/3yzIlUP. Visit our bookshop.org page at bookshop.org/shop/UNFTRpod to find the full UNFTR book list, and find book recommendations from our Unf*ckers at bookshop.org/lists/unf-cker-book-recommendations . Access the UNFTR
Sat, April 02, 2022
Unf*cking Down Under: And the Long Arm of the Chicago School.
The time has come to honor our Down Under F*ckers who have been supporting UNFTR since we launched. As we’ve done in prior shows about other countries, we attempt to explain the Australian political system, provide an overview of key issues and draw parallels between our experiences. Basically, a rough translation of Aussie politics for American listeners that only scratches the surface of this incredible nation. There’s an election coming up and several hot button issues facing the Australian people so it’s a good time to level set on what’s up down under. Note to our beloved Down Under F*ckers: This will be hilariously rudimentary to you but hopefully amusing enough to keep your attention. Now, piss off. Chapters Aussie Disclaimer: 00:00:05 Intro: 00:01:15 Chapter One: 00:05:48 Chapter Two: 00:10:13 Chapter Three: 00:16:09 Chapter Four: 00:21:20 Chapter Five: 00:35:08 Post Show Musings: 00:46:23 Outro: 00:59:50 Resources Australian Government Style Manual: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples CIA: The World Factbook Parliament of Australia: Hon Anthony Albanese MP Parliament of Australia: Hon Scott Morrison MP The Parliamentary Education Office: Prime Minister Australia.com: Guide To Christmas Island Australia.com: Guide To Cocos (Keeling) Islands Australia.com: Guide To Norfolk Island Hydrocarbons Technology: Gorgon LNG Project The Guardian: Australian leader Tony Abbott ousted by Malcolm Turnbull after party vote Law Council of Australia: Indigenous Legal Issues Centre For 21st Century Humanities: Colonial Frontier Massacres, Australia, 1788 to 1930 Common Ground: <a href="htt
Wed, March 30, 2022
Show Notes [Ep 53: Immigration Nation.]
In today's Show Notes minisode, we shit on Clinton, discuss the disparity of letting some immigrants into the country and unveil a dark secret from Max's past. Listen to the main episode accompaniment here Chapters Intro: 00:00:20 Previous Episode Update: 00:02:48 UNFTR Coffee Chat: 00:08:30 Emails: 00:11:51 Facebook Shout Outs: 00:27:50 Twitter Shout Outs: 00:31:13 Instagram Shout Outs: 00:36:16 Substack Shout Outs: 00:36:28 Buy Me A Coffee Donations + Memberships: 00:38:00 Reviews: 00:41:29 Outro: 00:42:12 Resources UNFTR: An interview with Unkechaug Chief Harry Wallace and Native Coffee Trader’s Amy Wallace. Bobby McD on Instagram and Facebook Yuval Noah Harari: Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind Politico: The New Identity Politics of Eric Adams How Did This Get Made Podcast: Jack Frost Jonathan M. Katz: Gangsters of Capitalism: Smedley Butler, the Marines, and the Making and Breaking of America's Empire American Scandal: The Clinton-Lewinsky Affair -- If you like #UNFTR, please leave us a rating and review on Apple Podcasts: unftr.com/rate and follow us on Facebook , Twitter and Instagram at @UNFTRpod. Visit us online at unftr.com . Buy yourself some Unf*cking Coffee at shop.unftr.com . Subscribe to Unf*cking The Republic on Substack at unftr.substack.com to get the essays these episode are framed around sent to your inbox every week. Check out the UNFTR Pod Love playlist on Spotify: spoti.fi/3yzIlUP. Visit our bookshop.org page at bookshop.org/shop/UNFTRpod to find the full UNFTR book list, and find book recommendations from our Unf*ckers at bookshop.org/lists/unf-cker-
Sat, March 26, 2022
Immigration Nation: A Crisis of Our Own Design.
As Ukrainians flee the war in their home country, some have found their way to the U.S. southern border where they are immediately escorted into the country. Because they're seeking refuge from a dangerous conflict and seeking asylum in the land of the free. And they're getting in. Quickly. Through Mexico. Meanwhile... you can probably guess where this is headed. Anyhoo, today's episode looks at immigration policy in the United States and fingers (ew) the real bad guy in our story that crafted today's anti-immigrant narrative and passed three meaningful pieces of legislation that made it a crime to be a non-native born American. Chapters Intro: 00:00:13 Chapter One: 00:05:52 Chapter Two: 00:11:11 Chapter Three: 00:16:43 Chapter Four: 00:23:25 Chapter Five: 00:29:20 Post Show Musings: 00:34:18 Outro: 00:46:28 Resources BBC News: How many Ukrainians have fled their homes and where have they gone? The Intercept: As Immigration Plummeted, Conservatives Falsely Accused Biden of Fueling a Crisis OECD Statistics: Net Migration National Immigration Law Center: Overview of Immigrant Eligibility for Federal Programs Marketplace: Undocumented immigrants quietly pay billions into Social Security and receive no benefits Congress.gov: H.R.3355 - Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act of 1994 Legal Information Institute: Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigration Responsibility Act The Atlantic: Bill Clinton Owes My Father an Apology Pew Research Center: Most Cuban American voters identify as Republican in 2020 Pew Research Center: The Hispanic Vote in Presidential Elections, 1980-2012 International Policy Digest: U.S. Agriculture is in Crisis The New York Times: <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2022/03/21/business
Wed, March 23, 2022
Show Notes [Quickie 10: The World in Numbers.]
In today's Show Notes minisode, Max revisits Thomas Piketty's theory of universal inheritance, we continue talks of NATO + Russia, and 99 yells about Phish some more. Listen to the main episode accompaniment here Chapters Intro: 00:00:20 Previous Episode Thoughts: 00:01:36 Emails: 00:08:03 Facebook Shout Outs: 00:30:59 Twitter Shout Outs: 00:32:45 Instagram Shout Outs: 00:35:59 Coffees and Members: 00:40:15 Housekeeping: 00:45:31 Outro: 00:47:00 Resources Time for Socialism: Dispatches from a World on Fire, 2016-2021 Knudsen's UNFTR Facebook Group Dark Money Kill Switch The New Jim Crow Color of Money The Family UNFTR Union Episode Macro N Cheese UNFTR Subreddit -- If you like #UNFTR, please leave us a rating and review on Apple Podcasts: unftr.com/rate and follow us on Facebook , Twitter and Instagram at @UNFTRpod. Visit us online at unftr.com . Buy yourself some Unf*cking Coffee at shop.unftr.com . Subscribe to Unf*cking The Republic on Substack at unftr.substack.com to get the essays these episode are framed around sent to your inbox every week. Check out the UNFTR Pod Love playlist on Spotify: spoti.fi/3yzIlUP. Visit our bookshop.org page at bookshop.org/shop/UNFTRpod to find the full UNFTR book list, and find book recommendations from our Unf*ckers at bookshop.org/lists/unf-cker-book-recommendations . Access the UNFTR Musicless feed by following the instructions at unftr.com/accessibility . Unf*cking the Republic is produced by 99 and engineered by Man
Sat, March 19, 2022
The World in Numbers: 99 / 3.5 / 1.5.
Russia’s invasion of Ukraine changed the global political calculus almost overnight. While catastrophic and horrific in nature, this shift has provided unforeseen opportunities that were unthinkable just a few months ago. The question is how best to mobilize in this darkness to affect positive change moving forward. We examine the work of Thomas Piketty and Erica Chenoweth to help wrap our minds around what’s possible, no matter how audacious. Chapters Intro: 00:00:07 Chapter One: 00:03:13 Chapter Two: 00:13:32 Chapter Three: 00:20:21 Closing Thoughts: 00:28:13 Post-Show Musings: 00:31:30 Outro: 00:46:17 Resources IRS: The Estate Tax: Ninety Years and Counting IPCC: Climate Change 2022 Al Jazeera: Could energy independence from Russia spur a shift to renewables? New York Times: Can Germany Break Up With Russian Gas? Jacobin: Nationalize All the Oil Companies Adam Tooze: China under pressure Book Love Thomas Piketty: Time for Socialism: Dispatches from a World on Fire, 2016-2021 UNFTR Episode Resources White on White Crime in Eastern Europe . Peak Oil . A (Mostly) Vegan World . Playing Chicken with China . Building the Climate Industrial Complex . Modern Monetary Theory . The Beatification of Ronald Reagan . -- If you like #UNFTR, please leave us a rating and review on Apple Podcasts: unftr.com/rate and follow us on Facebook , Twitter and Instagram at @UNFTRpod. Visit us online at unftr.com . Buy yourself some Unf*cking Coffee at <a
Tue, March 15, 2022
Show Notes [Ep 52: White on White Crime in Eastern Europe.]
In today's Show Notes minisode, Max reads a cutting room floor draft, we share some Unf*cker feedback, and discuss Russia and Ukraine a bit further. Listen to the main episode accompaniment here Chapters Intro: 00:00:21 Cutting Room Floor: 00:00:55 Buy Me A Coffee Donations + Memberships: 00:07:38 Facebook Shout Outs: 00:24:52 Twitter Shout Outs: 00:26:27 Instagram Shout Outs: 00:31:44 Emails: 00:38:48 Reviews: 00:57:00 Housekeeping: 00:57:55 Outro: 00:59:41 Resources American Scandal: LA Steals Its Water The Intercept: Toxic Nostalgia, From Putin to Trump to the Trucker Convoys Unf*cker Recommendations Macro n Cheese Podcast The Dig Podcast Sway: Why Facebook Whistle-Blower Frances Haugen Thinks She’ll Outlast Mark Zuckerberg Claire Evans: Broad Band Bobby McD on Instagram and Facebook -- If you like #UNFTR, please leave us a rating and review on Apple Podcasts: unftr.com/rate and follow us on Facebook , Twitter and Instagram at @UNFTRpod. Visit us online at unftr.com . Buy yourself some Unf*cking Coffee at shop.unftr.com . Subscribe to Unf*cking The Republic on Substack at unftr.substack.com to get the essays these episode are framed around sent to your inbox every week. Check out the UNFTR Pod Love playlist on Spotify: spoti.fi/3yzIlUP. Visit our bookshop.org page at bookshop.org/shop/UNFTRpod to find the full UNFTR book list, and find book recommendations from our Unf*ckers at bookshop.org/lists/unf-cker-book-recommendations . Access the UNFTR Musicless feed by following the instructions at unftr.com/accessibility
Sat, March 12, 2022
White on White Crime in Eastern Europe: NATO, Onions & But-What-About.
A psychopath in Russia just committed a war crime by invading Ukraine. Now he’s a mass murderer as well. Today’s episode examines whether the United States has standing in this fight, the role of NATO since the collapse of the Soviet Union and the bullshit narrative surrounding rising oil and gas prices that literally no one is getting right. We also destroy some current popular right wing talking points about Biden, fossil fuel and energy independence. And Max shares one of his favorite stories about onions and explains how it might be the key to saving us all. (Just go with it.) Chapters Intro 00:00:51 Chapter One 00:05:42 Chapter Two: 00:15:38 Chapter Three: 00:22:26 Chapter Four: 00:28:53 Chapter Five: 00:38:50 Post-Show Musings: 00:44:16 Resources + Book Love: 00:45:06 Pod Love: 00:47:25 Outro: 00:48:15 Resources The Intercept Ken Klippenstein Jeremy Scahill Murtaza Hussain Naomi Klein Chris Hedges Adam Tooze Matt Taibbi Al Jazeera The New Yorker: Getting Real: George F. Kennen’s Cold War Brookings: The U.S. Decision to Enlarge NATO: How, When, Why, and What Next? Al Jazeera: Nord Stream 2: Why Russia’s pipeline to Europe divides the West Al Jazeera: Russia makes US an offer on last major arms control treaty Chartbook #93: Russia's $720m per day gas windfall - the lopsided economic war Macrotrends: Crude Oil Prices - 70 Year Historical Chart The Intercept: Toxic Nostalgia, From Putin to Trump to the Trucker Convoys Watson Institute: Human Cost Of Post-9/11 Wars Vietnam Embassy: C
Sat, March 05, 2022
BONUS: A Book Love Mashup.
On this bonus UNFTR, 99 revisits Book Love segments past in hopes to inspire your reading lists. We’ll be back with full-fledged Unf*ckings very soon! Resources UNFTR Book List on Bookshop.org Unf*cker Book Recommendations -- If you like #UNFTR, please leave us a rating and review on Apple Podcasts: unftr.com/rate and follow us on Facebook , Twitter and Instagram at @UNFTRpod. Visit us online at unftr.com . Buy yourself some Unf*cking Coffee at shop.unftr.com . Subscribe to Unf*cking The Republic on Substack at unftr.substack.com to get the essays these episode are framed around sent to your inbox every week. Check out the UNFTR Pod Love playlist on Spotify: spoti.fi/3yzIlUP. Visit our bookshop.org page at bookshop.org/shop/UNFTRpod to find the full UNFTR book list, and find book recommendations from our Unf*ckers at bookshop.org/lists/unf-cker-book-recommendations . Access the UNFTR Musicless feed by following the instructions at unftr.com/accessibility . Unf*cking the Republic is produced by 99 and engineered by Manny Faces Media ( mannyfacesmedia.com ). Original music is by Tom McGovern ( tommcgovern.com ). The show is written and hosted by Phish and distributed by funky jams. Podcast art description: Image of the US Constitution ripped in the middle revealing white text on a blue background that says, ‘Unf*cking the Republic.’ Support the show: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/unftr See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Sat, February 26, 2022
BONUS: A Manny + 99 Takeover.
Today we have a special episode for you—a Manny & 99 takeover. While Max is away the minions will play! We run through some listener feedback and share some behind the scenes details of our recording process. Enjoy! Unf*cker Resources Swing Left Indivisible Manny + 99's Podcast Recommendations News Beat Hip-Hop Can Save America Louder Than A Riot Code Switch Stuff You Should Know Last Podcast on the Left American Scandal How Did This Get Made Comedy Bang Bang U Talkin’ U2 2 Me (Plus REM + Talking Heads) Song Exploder -- If you like #UNFTR, please lea
Wed, February 23, 2022
Show Notes [Ep 51: Corporate America’s Banner Year.]
The showwwwww noteessss. In this experiment, we break out show notes into their own unf*cking minisode so we can spend more time answering y'all Unf*ckers. Listen to the main episode accompaniment here . Resources from Unf*ckers Bobby McD on Instagram and Facebook Jacobin: Can We Criticize Foucault? Josh Mitchell: The Debt Trap: How Student Loans Became a National Catastrophe -- If you like #UNFTR, please leave us a rating and review on Apple Podcasts: unftr.com/rate and follow us on Facebook , Twitter and Instagram at @UNFTRpod. Visit us online at unftr.com . Buy yourself some Unf*cking Coffee at shop.unftr.com . Subscribe to Unf*cking The Republic on Substack at unftr.substack.com to get the essays these episode are framed around sent to your inbox every week. Check out the UNFTR Pod Love playlist on Spotify: spoti.fi/3yzIlUP. Visit our bookshop.org page at bookshop.org/shop/UNFTRpod to find the full UNFTR book list, and find book recommendations from our Unf*ckers at bookshop.org/lists/unf-cker-book-recommendations . Access the UNFTR Musicless feed by following the instructions at unftr.com/accessibility . Unf*cking the Republic is produced by 99 and engineered by Manny Faces Media ( mannyfacesmedia.com ). Original music is by Tom McGovern ( tommcgovern.com ). The show is written and hosted by this guy and distributed ova' there. Podcast art description: Image of the US Constitution ripped in the middle revealing white text on a blue background that says, ‘Unf*cking the Republic.’ Support the show: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/unftr See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Sat, February 19, 2022
Corporate America’s Banner Year: Please understand that they hate you.
Because inflation is on everyone’s minds and the media can’t seem to get this right, we dive even deeper into the inflation narrative to dispel both propaganda and myth. Surprise, surprise, the real story of inflation is wrapped up in corporate America’s rather impressive year. We’ll talk about how increasing rents, pain at the pump and higher consumer prices went back into the pockets of large corporations and Wall Street and explain why it only happened in America. Chapters Intro: 00:00:25 Prologue: 00:01:23 Chapter 1: 00:07:21 Chapter 2: 00:15:30 Chapter 3: 00:19:20 Chapter 4: 00:27:37 Closing Thoughts: 00:39:52 Show Notes: 00:41:48 Book Love: 00:52:44 Outro: 00:53:43 UNFTR Beer Partnership McFleshman's Brewing Co. Become a UNFTR Insane Level Member Resources Reuters: Japan's inflation hovers around 2-year high, BOJ flags price pressure Pew Research: As national eviction ban expires, a look at who rents and who owns in the U.S. ProPublica: When Private Equity Becomes Your Landlord Rent.com: A monthly look at average rent price trends across the United States. EIA: Short-Term Energy Outlook Barron's: How Oil Could Hit $150. It’s Not Just About Russia. Statista: Daily demand for crude oil worldwide from 2006 to 2020, with a forecast until 2026 CGT: Top 100 Consumer Goods Companies of 2021 Tyson: Annual SEC Report ‘21 Nestlé: Nestlé reports nine-month sales for 2021, raises full-year organic sales growth guidance Procter & Gamble: Annual SEC Report ‘21 Book Love Binyamin Appelbaum: The Economists' Hour: Fa
Sat, February 12, 2022
"UNLESS." Building Back to What?
We’re hitting the pause button in honor of our 50th full episode. Quite the milestone and we wanted to celebrate together. And in true UNFTR fashion, we celebrate by running through 2021 from a congressional perspective. What did we actually accomplish and why? How? We top it off with some ways for Unf*ckers to get involved and make change in their communities so that come end of ’22 we can (hopefully) tell a different story. Chapters Intro: 00:00:38 Chapter 1: 00:01:47 Chapter 2: 00:08:46 Chapter 3: 00:15:54 Chapter 4: 00:23:10 Chapter 5: 00:28:16 Show Notes: 00:31:17 Coffee Updates: 00:33:49 Max's Musings: 00:38:23 Emails + Shout Outs: 00:41:33 Outro: 01:09:00 Bonus FIFA Breakdown: 01:12:19 Resources The New York Times: Frustrated Democrats Call for ‘Reset’ Ahead of Midterm Elections Congressional Progressive Caucus: Congressional Progressive Caucus Calls for Senate Passage of Build Back Better by State of the Union The Washington Post: Evaluating the success of the Great Society Miller Center: Franklin D. Roosevelt: Domestic Affairs Public Leadership Institute: Model Bills The Intercept: Anti-Trans Bills Are Moving Through State Legislatures With Remarkable Speed Tom McGovern on Instagram Pod Love Best of the Left: Episode 1468, Winning battles against the forces of neoliberalism around the world The David McWilliams Podcast: Breaking down the metaverse & why we we need to disconnect Canadaland: Commons UNFTR Episode Resources A (Mostly) Vegan World. Libertarians Are Exhausting. Holiday Quickie. The Itsfuckedforsure Bill. U.S. Progressivism from 1912 to 2021. Californication. <
Sat, February 05, 2022
Peak Oil: It's a Crude, Crude World.
Oil is everywhere. It’s all around us. It’s in everything and it makes the world go around. The Energy Information Administration (EIA) projects that renewable energy will comprise 27% of the world’s energy production by 2050, all things being equal. Pretty great, right? Not really. Based upon population and economic growth trends, the EIA also predicts that the use of liquid fuels will continue to increase over the same period. So as much as we think we might be getting ahead, we’re really not. But there’s another side of oil that most people rarely think about and that’s its value as a currency. Yes, a currency. We tie in good ol’ Milton Friedman again to discuss how trading this ubiquitous fuel went from commodity to casino, making it more difficult to break this habit than one might imagine. Chapters Intro: 00:01:31 Prologue: 00:04:35 Chapter 1: 00:05:19 Chapter 2: 00:13:53 Oil Rundown: 00:19:54 Skit: 00:24:39 Chapter 3: 00:28:27 Chapter 4: 00:41:23 Chapter 5: 00:50:58 Show Notes: 00:57:22 Book Love: 00:57:44 Pod Love: 00:59:46 Emails + Shout Outs: 01:18:14 Outro: 01:29:32 Resources World Population Review: Richest African Countries 2022 Trading Economics: Corruption Rank by Country | Africa Worldometer: Equatorial Guinea Oil Democracy Now!: African Dictatorships and Double Standards U.S. Energy Information Administration: International Energy Outlook 2021 Book Love Peter Maass: Crude World - Required reading for anyone interested in the dark underbelly of the oil and gas trade. Leif Wenar: Blood Oil - Not my favorite. A little overreaching in the historical and socio-political connections it tries to make but contains some solid anecdotal insights to support a broader thesis of corruption. Morgan Downey: Oil 101 - A fundamental book to understand the product itself and the markets that move it. Dan Dicker: Oil’s Endless Bid - Pedestria
Sat, January 29, 2022
Fox in the Outhouse: Invasion, Immigration & Inflation.
This week’s alliterative Quickie is brought to you by the letter “i.” In typical Quickie fashion we delve into three distinct but related topics: Invasion, Inflation & Immigration, as seen through the lens of Fox News. We’ll tie in some prior themes and set the table for a couple of future episodes in this barn burner of a Quickie featuring the worst people on television. For those listening and not just reading, after a heartfelt message toward the end of the episode Max has a rather ugly and uncharacteristic meltdown in show notes over Joe Biden and the Democratic Party. 99 and Manny pick up the pieces to bring it home and send Max for a nap. All this and more on another rousing edition of Outagamie’s number one podcast, Unf*cking the Republic. Chapters Intro: 00:00:47 Segment 1: 00:01:45 Segment 2: 00:07:20 Segment 3: 00:18:12 Segment 4: 00:27:29 Show Notes: 00:31:56 Emails + Shout Outs: 00:32:51 Outro: 01:01:19 Resources ThoughtCo: History and Principles of the United Nations The Intercept: As Immigration Plummeted, Conservatives Falsely Accused Biden of Fueling a Crisis New York Times: U.S. Economy Grew 1.7% in 4th Quarter, Capping a Strong Year Pew Research Center: Amid the pandemic, a rising share of older U.S. adults are now retired Trading Economics: United States Labor Force Participation Rate Matt Stoller: Corporate Profits Drive 60% of Inflation Increases UNFTR Episode Resources F*ck Milton Friedman. Labor Unions. Libertarians are Exhausting (Part One) . Libertarians are Exhausting (Part Two) . -- If you like #UNFTR, please leave us a rating and review on Apple Podcasts: unftr.com/rate and follow us on Facebook , <a href="https:
Sat, January 22, 2022
Libertarians Are Exhausting: Inside the 50-year American coup d'état. [Part 2]
In part two of “Libertarians are Exhausting” we’re still talking about freedom and liberty. Economic freedom, personal liberty and the next important concept we need to unpack: The Rule of Law. Plus we'll take a look at the masters of the libertarian universe (aka the brains, money, economists and lawyers) behind the nouveau American style fiscal-anarcho-capitalist-minarchist-neoliberal-objectivist cauldron of bullshit we know as modern day libertarianism. Chapters Intro: 00:00:07 Prologue: 00:03:02 Part One Recap: 00:04:44 Segment 1: 00:05:58 Segment 2: 00:12:05 Segment 3: 00:15:43 Segment 4: 00:22:01 Segment 5: 00:25:47 Segment 6: 00:29:40 Segment 7: 00:36:20 Show Notes: 00:45:45 Book Love: 00:47:04 Pod Love: 00:47:20 Emails + Shout Outs: 00:48:24 Outro: 01:06:57 Resources The New Republic: How David Koch’s 1980 Fantasy Became America’s Current Reality Forbes: This Secretive Billionaire Is One Of America’s Biggest Conservative Donors SourceWatch: American Legislative Exchange Council Brookings: ALEC’s Influence over Lawmaking in State Legislatures Libertarian Party: Platform Book Love David Boaz: The Libertarian Mind: A Manifesto for Freedom Nancy MacLean: Democracy in Chains: The Deep History of the Radical Right's Stealth Plan for America Jane Mayer: Dark Money: The Hidden History of the Billionaires Behind the Rise of the Radical Right H. L. Mencken: Notes on Democracy Thomas Paine: Rights of Man Bernard E. Harcourt: The Illusion of Free Markets: Punishment and the Myth of Natural Order Kurt Andersen: Evil Geniuses: The Unmaking of America: A Recent History Pod Love Straight White American Jesus News Beat: MLK's Last Month: Memphis <a href="https://p
Sat, January 15, 2022
Libertarians Are Exhausting: But they might be onto something(s). [Part 1]
Libertarians can be exhausting. Because libertarianism has so many attractive features and strong statements about “freedom” and “liberty” they have a lot of perceived political high ground when arguing with them. The problem with libertarianism - as it is with Marxism, capitalism and so many other philosophies - is that it’s entirely theoretical. Trying to construct an actual framework around the concepts they hold dear is like arguing over how Santa Claus fits down the chimney. That said, there’s a lot to like about some of the principles of libertarianism and its acolytes are growing in numbers every day. So let’s have at it. In part one of this two-part series we’ll unpack the origins of the philosophy, its dark beginnings and define several strains of the discipline. Chapters Intro: 00:00:38 Prologue: 00:02:45 Segment 1: 00:04:41 Segment 2: 00:13:37 Segment 3: 00:23:53 Segment 4: 00:30:27 Show Notes: 00:40:36 Book Love: 00:41:17 Pod Love: 00:41:34 Emails + Shoutouts: 00:45:13 Outro: 01:06:46 Resources Libertarian Party: Platform National Archives: Brown v. Board of Education ThoughtCo: The Declaration of Independence ThoughtCo: America's Most Influential Founding Fathers ThoughtCo: Laissez-faire Versus Government Intervention ThoughtCo: What Is Free Trade? ThoughtCo: Economics ThoughtCo: Atlas Shrugged Quotes ThoughtCo: History and Principles of the United Nations Too Good To Go Book Love David Boaz: The Libertarian Mind: A Manifesto for Freedom Nancy MacLean: Democracy in Chains: The Deep History of the Radical Right's Stealth Plan for America Jane Mayer: Dark Money: The Hidden History of the Billionaires Behind the Rise of the Radical Right H. L. Mencken: Notes on Democracy Thomas Paine: <a href="https://bookshop.org/a/233
Sat, January 08, 2022
A (Mostly) Vegan World: Plantf*ckers Can Save Us All.
As many of you know, we’ve had this on the pod-docket for months. It’s finally time to unf*ck our food system and talk about veganism. We decided not to pursue this topic from a moral or ethical perspective, but that doesn’t mean this isn’t a story about justice. 40% of the world’s working population is in some way employed in the food and agriculture sector. A third of all food is wasted. 50% of the earth’s land has been cleared for livestock and farming. Overfishing and chemical runoff is destroying marine life. In our pursuit to feed the world, we’re killing the planet and ourselves in the process. Today’s episode examines the cycle of madness that is the industrial agriculture and food supply chain. So while there are no tips on how to “go vegan,” the conclusion (spoiler) is that we all better figure out how. Chapters Intro: 00:00:39 Prologue: 00:03:08 Segment 1: 00:05:22 Segment 2: 00:13:26 Segment 3: 00:18:29 Segment 4: 00:31:48 Segment 5: 00:37:06 Segment 6: 00:45:30 Show Notes: 00:52:24 Resources: 00:52:45 Book Love: 00:53:17 Pod Love: 00:53:49 Emails + Shoutouts: 01:03:20 Outro: 01:13:30 Resources On the Principle of Population by Thomas Malthus UN: Food Systems Summit UN: Food Systems Statement of Action EPA: Global Greenhouse Gas Emissions Data Penn State College of Agricultural Sciences: Plant-Based Diet Research Rodale Institute: Farming Systems Trial FAIRR: Protein Producer Index The EAT: Lancet Commission on Food, Planet, Health Book Love Nicoletta Batini: The Economics of Sustainable Food: Smart Policies for Health and the Planet Mark Bittman: Animal, Vegetable, Junk: A History of Food, from Sustainable to Suicidal Pod Love Eat the Rich: Episodes 104 and 105 on the United Fruit Company Outrage & Optimism: <a href="https://www.outrageandoptimism.org/episodes/
Sat, December 25, 2021
Holiday Quickie: How the Manch stole Christmas.
Our little Unf*cking team wishes the Unf*cking community a safe and healthy holiday season. We'll be back on January 8th with a new drop but here's a Holiday Quickie to tide you over. In this Quickie we examine three positive things that have occurred since Biden took office. (We had to look pretty hard for these, but wanted to end on a positive note.) Then we offer thanks and praise to Joe Manchin for taking a giant shit on the poor. What a guy. Happy, Merry and all that crap. See you in the New Year! Chapters Intro: 00:00:07 Skit: 00:01:27 Segment 1: 00:04:36 Segment 2: 00:10:59 Segment 3: 00:13:16 Segment 4: 00:16:27 Show Notes: 00:26:28 Emails + Shoutouts: 00:32:21 Outro: 1:02:20 Resources The Intercept: The Mysterious Case Of Joe Biden And The Future Of Drone Wars FiveThirtyEight: How Biden Is Reshaping The Courts The New York Times: Extreme Poverty Has Been Sharply Cut. What Has Changed? Common Dreams: Displaying 'Inhuman Disdain' for Working Families, Manchin Said Child Tax Credit Would Be Used for Drugs Time: The House Just Passed Biden’s Build Back Better Bill. Here’s What’s In It Brookings: What does the Build Back Better Framework mean for BIPOC communities? -- If you like #UNFTR, please leave us a rating and review on Apple Podcasts: unftr.com/rate and follow us on Facebook , Twitter and Instagram at @UNFTRpod. Visit us online at unftr.com . Buy yourself some Unf*cking Coffee at shop.unftr.com . Subscribe to Unf*cking The Republic on Substack at unftr.substack.com to get the essays these episode are framed around sent to your inbox every week. C
Sat, December 18, 2021
Labor Unions: From Pullman to Kellogg’s. Labor’s long, hard road.
From Pullman and Carnegie to Kellogg's and the PRO Act, this week we unf*ck the labor movement in the United States. No single episode can possibly do labor justice but we give it our best shot. The episode includes a blow-by-blow analysis of a recent interview with the CEO of Kellogg's to translate Wall Street speak for “how to fuck workers and influence inflation.” And we rip off a few Milton references to exercise our #FMF muscle. Chapters Intro: 00:00:42 Segment 1: 00:02:11 Segment 2: 00:04:25 Segment 3: 00:12:18 Segment 4: 00:17:46 Segment 5: 00:21:29 Segment 6: 00:28:00 Segment 7: 00:30:20 Segment 8: 00:41:22 Show Notes: 00:52:15 Book Love: 00:57:17 Pod Love: 00:58:02 Emails + Shoutouts: 00:58:45 Outro: 01:10:42 Resources American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations (AFL-CIO) The New York Times: Starbucks workers at a Buffalo store unionize in a big symbolic win for labor Kellogg Company: Investor Relations The Nation: Striking Kellogg’s Workers Need the PRO Act U.S. Bureau Of Labor Statistics: Work Stoppages OECD: Trade Union Dataset U.S. Bureau Of Labor Statistics: Union Members — 2020 Economic History Association: Labor Unions in the United States History of Recessions in U.S. Unionization rates by industry in the United States, 1880-2000 More Perfect Union: Kellogg's Factory Working Conditions Media Matters: Joe Rogan Wrapped: A year of COVID-19 misinformation, right-wing myths, and anti-trans rhetoric Book Love Philip Dray: There Is Power in a Union: The Epic Story of Labor in America Nelson Lichtenstein: State of the Union: A Century of American Labor Kurt Andersen: Evil Geniuses: The Unmaking of
Sat, December 11, 2021
Playing Chicken with China: How Propaganda Rationalizes Conflict.
There were 15 references to China in the 2017 National Defense Authorization Act. The recent bill passed by the House, which is more than what President Biden requested (because that makes fucking sense) contains 89 references to China. It’s official. We have our new existential bogeyman threat. Battle stations, everyone. We’re going to war with China. Someday. Or are we? Why would we? What the actual fuck is our problem? Today’s episode pulls back the cover on our latest propaganda campaign designed to scare the shit out of us and normalize aggression toward our largest trading partner on the planet. Chapters 00:00:40 Intro 00:01:55 Chapter 1 00:05:15 Chapter 2 00:13:47 Chapter 3 00:19:25 Chapter 4 00:28:37 Chapter 5 00:37:31 Show Notes 00:39:41 Emails + Shoutouts 00:49:45 Outro Resources Richard Nixon Presidential Library: Nixon in China: Film Militarist Monitor: Gatestone Institute AlJazeera: Biden administration approves $650m weapon sale to Saudi Arabia Brookings: Rising to the Challenge: Navigating Competition, Avoiding Crisis, and Advancing US Interests in Relations With China Democracy Now!: Historian Alfred McCoy Predicts the U.S. Empire is Collapsing as China’s Power Grows 60 Minutes Australia: Prepare for Armageddon: China's warning to the world Democracy At Work: The Competition Between China and the U.S. - Global Capitalism with Richard Wolff Democracy Now!: Noam Chomsky: Trump's attacks on China are a continuation of "Yellow Peril" fear-mongering Unf*cker Recommendations Vivek Ramaswamy: Woke, Inc.: Inside Corporate America's Social Justice Scam -- If you like #UNFTR, please leave us a rating and review on Apple Podcasts: unftr.com/rate and follow us on Facebook , Twitter and Instagram at @UNFTRpod. Visit us online at unftr.com . Buy yourself some Unf*cking Coffee at shop.unftr.com . Subsc
Sat, December 04, 2021
Happy Noam Chomsky Day: Pundits, Public Intellectuals & Charlatans.
Today we celebrate the life of Noam Chomsky who turns 93 this week and discuss the nature of punditry, the role of true intellectuals in today’s society and the cult of pseudo intellectual charlatans. Chapters 00:01:32 Intro 00:04:52 Segment 1 00:17:22 Segment 2 00:27:02 Segment 3 00:33:28 Show Notes 00:34:48 Book Love 00:35:34 Emails + Shoutouts 00:53:44 Outro GoFundMe Keep Kanatsiohareke Warm this Winter Resources New York Times: QAnon Now as Popular in U.S. as Some Major Religions, Poll Suggests The Atlantic: Noam Chomsky on Where Artificial Intelligence Went Wrong The New Yorker: The Devil’s Accountant (Noam Chomsky’s criticism of America’s role in the world has increased his isolation—and his audience.) Current Affairs: The Intellectual We Deserve Book Love Chomsky Books Syntactic Structures Turning the Tide: U.S. Intervention in Central America and the Struggle for Peace The Chomsky Reader Manufacturing Consent: The Political Economy of the Mass Media Rethinking Camelot: JFK, the Vietnam War, and U.S. Political Culture Media Control: The Spectacular Achievements of Propaganda Profit over People: Neoliberalism and Global Order The Umbrella of U.S. Power: The Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the Contradictions of U.S. Policy Gaza in Crisis: Reflections on Israel’s War Against the Palestinians Requiem for the American Dream: The Ten Principles of Concentration of Wealth and Power Reporter , by Seymour Hersh -- If you like #UNFTR, please leave us a rating and
Fri, November 26, 2021
Pirates of the Caribbean: Debt, Diplomacy and Destruction.
It’s chilly here in New York so we’ve got the Caribbean on the brain. Actually, we’re just building on our money and power episodes and tying in lessons from our shows on Milton Friedman, Cuba and climate change. Because we can’t just sit on a beach sipping a frozen drink with an umbrella. But that’s why you love us. The United States didn’t invent colonialism in the Caribbean, we just perfected it. From wild tales of vigilante slave owning gold diggers and gunboat diplomacy to economic gangsterism and coerced trade agreements, the Caribbean has been the proving ground for neoliberalism. Chapters 00:00:11 Intro 00:03:49 Segment 1 00:13:06 Segment 2 00:19:18 Segment 3 00:23:18 Segment 4 00:37:03 Show Notes 00:39:57 Book Love 00:40:59 Emails + Shoutouts 00:57:45 Outro GoFundMe Keep Kanatsiohareke Warm this Winter Resources New Yorker: The Long Legacy of Occupation in Haiti Origins: A Pact with the Devil? The United States and the Fate of Modern Haiti The Financial Oversight and Management Board for Puerto Rico US News Beat: The Truth About Puerto Rico Library of Congress: Teller and Platt Amendments - The World of 1898: The Spanish-American War (Hispanic Division) Inter-American Development Bank: Climate Change in the Caribbean Small Island States Book Love Alan McPherson: A Short History of U.S. Interventions in Latin America and the Caribbean Raphael Dalleo: American Imperialism’s Undead: The Occupation of Haiti and the Rise of Caribbean Anticolonialism Samantha S. S. Chaitram: American Foreign Policy in the English-speaking Caribbean -- If you like #UNFTR, please leave us a rating and review on Apple Podcasts: unftr.com/rate and follow us on Facebook , Twitter and Instagram at @UNFTRpod. Visit us online at unftr.com . Buy yoursel
Sat, November 20, 2021
The Itsfuckedforsure Bill: And the Ghosts of Spending Bills Past.
President Biden signed H.R. 3684 into law with leaders in Washington breaking their arms to pat themselves on the back. Never mind that the infrastructure bill is either 20% or 40% of what the American Society of Civil Engineers believes is necessary (depending upon your interpretation of the allocated funds), or that it doesn’t begin to address climate change, or that it’s stuffed with old school pork and contains none of the human elements promised to us. It’s a bill that got signed in Washington and that’s apparently all that matters. Find out why it’s great for corporations, guarantees the Republicans take back the White House in ‘24 and why we’re mad at Elon Musk and his hair plugs. Chapters 00:02:22 Intro 00:05:18 Segment 1 00:21:52 Segment 2 00:37:33 Show Notes 00:38:29 Book Love 00:39:06 Emails + Shoutouts 00:50:58 Outro Resources U.S. Department Of Transportation: Public Roads- Summer 1996 Investopedia: Understanding the Infrastructure Bills ASCE Infrastructure Report Card: Making the Grade ASCE Infrastructure Report Card: A Comprehensive Assessment Of America’s Infrastructure New York Times: Biden signs infrastructure bill, promoting benefits for Americans. New York Times: What’s in the $1 Trillion Infrastructure Bill U.S. Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works: H. R. 3684 Brookings: Eight Years Later- What the Recovery Act Taught Us about Investing in Transportation Britannica: Tennessee Valley Authority U.S. Department Of Transportation Federal Highway Administration: Interstate Highway System - The Myths Book Love Michael Grunwald: The New New Deal: The Hidden Story of Change in the Obama Era Stephanie Kelton: <a href="https://bookshop.org/a/23
Sat, November 13, 2021
The Global Order of Power: Money, Position & Might.
Last week we reviewed the global order of money. Today we examine money’s sister, power. It’s an American-centric journey spanning 75 years, from the Cold War through the War on Terror. We start with a deep dive into the five years following the Second World War and highlight the men who crafted the policies that would determine the fate of the world. We dissect how these policies changed over the years to suit a narrative that ensured the continued growth of the military industrial complex and show how this outdated and ossified thinking might ultimately bring U.S. domination to an end. Chapters 00:00:40 Intro 00:04:21 Segment 1 00:15:53 Skit 00:18:02 Segment 2 00:48:23 Show Notes 00:48:58 Book Love 00:50:28 Emails + Shoutouts 01:08:00 Outro Resources The New Yorker: The Florentine SourceWatch: Pax Americana Brookings: Decision to Intervene: How the War in Bosnia Ended Book Love Stephen Kinzer: The Brothers: John Foster Dulles, Allen Dulles, and Their Secret World War Niccolò Machiavelli: The Prince Carl Von Clausewitz: On War Nicholas Thompson: The Hawk and the Dove: Paul Nitze, George Kennan, and the History of the Cold War Howard Zinn: Howard Zinn on War Curt Cardwell: Nsc 68 and the Political Economy of the Early Cold War -- If you like #UNFTR, please leave us a rating and review on Apple Podcasts: unftr.com/rate and follow us on Facebook , Twitter and Instagram at @UNFTRpod. Visit us online at unftr.com . Buy yourself some Unf*cking Coffee at shop.unftr.com . Subscribe to Unf*cking The Republic on Substack at unftr.substack.com to get the essays these episode are framed around sent to your inbox every week. Check out the UNFTR Pod Love playlist on Spotify: spoti.fi/3yzIlUP. Visit our bookshop.org page
Sat, November 06, 2021
The Global Order of Money: How exactly does it make the world go ‘round?
We’ve hit on some big economic themes from capitalism and socialism to deregulation, privatization and Modern Monetary Theory. And we’re typically focused on results and outcomes of policies related to these theories. Today we’re taking a step back to examine the nature of capital and examining the nature of currency, trade and debt. Money is great, but who prints it? Who decides how much to print and what it’s worth? Who creates the rules of engagement for international trade? Big picture stuff only today, Unf*ckers but we do raise some even bigger questions at the end of the show. With that, let’s unf*ck The Global Order of Money. Chapters 00:00:18 Intro 00:05:51 Segment 1 00:13:51 Skit 00:17:53 Segment 2 00:53:33 Show Notes 00:55:18 Book Love 00:56:45 Emails + Shoutouts 01:11:21 Outro Resources International Monetary Fund: Where the IMF Gets Its Money The Guardian: Working at the World Bank, I can see how it is failing humanity on the climate crisis Reuters: U.S. committed to WTO and wants it to succeed, trade rep Tai says Book Love The War That Ended Peace: The Road to 1914 , by Margaret MacMillan The World for Sale: Money, Power, and the Traders Who Barter the Earth's Resources , by Javier Blas and Jack Farchy Zombie Capitalism: Global Crisis and the Relevance of Marx , by Chris Harman Writings of Eugene V Debs: A Collection of Essays by America's Most Famous Socialist by The Dawn of Everything: A New History of Humanity by David Graeber and David Wengrow -- If you like #UNFTR, please leave us a rating and review on Apple Podcasts: unftr.com/rate and follow us on Facebook , Twitter and Instagram at @UNFTRpod. Visit us online at unftr.com . Buy yourself some Unf*cking Coffee at shop.unftr.com . Subscribe to Unf*cking The Republic on Substack at <a href="https://unftr.substack.
Sat, October 30, 2021
“Independent” Men with Massive Platforms: Jon Stewart, Dave Chappelle & Joe Rogan.
In this week’s installment of how to lose friends and disappoint people, we’re talking about the independent platform media culture, mostly of the male persuasion. So, yes. Much of this will drip with irony as I, a white male with a small platform, attempt to mansplain how to think about other men with platforms. Our three main subjects today have been in the news for various reasons. Dave Chappelle, Jon Stewart and Joe Rogan. These three have a combined audience reach that rivals any major network, which should challenge our assumptions of what defines the “mainstream media” these days. In this Quickie we dissect the changing media landscape, the nature of punditry and who has the power and responsibility in the relationship between platform and audience. Resources Deadline: ‘World News Tonight With David Muir’ Tops Season In Total Viewers And Key Demos; All Network Evening Newscasts See Ratings Drop Entertainment Weekly: The Problem With Jon Stewart breaks Apple TV+ records — get a peek at episode 2 USA Today: Making the grade?: In these school districts, students are less likely to succeed World Population Review: Murder Rate By State 2021 Moyers: What Does Paul Ryan Really Mean by the Phrase “Inner City”? Google Ngram Offers a Clue News Beat: A Guide To Mass Incarceration In America Pod Love News Beat: Slavery & Genocide: How Indigenous People Remember Christopher Columbus ft. John Kane -- If you like #UNFTR, please leave us a rating and review on Apple Podcasts: unftr.com/rate and follow us on Facebook , Twitter and Instagram at @UNFTRpod. Visit us online at unftr.com . Buy yourself some Unf*cking Coffee at shop.unftr.com . Subscribe to Unf*cking The Republic on Substack at unftr.substack.com to get the essays these episode are framed around sent to your inbox every week. Check out the UNFT
Sat, October 23, 2021
Capitasociafascilibdemarxism: Exploring ISMs in the Modern Age.
In today’s cure for insomnia episode, we explore the origins of the ISMs the pundit class abuses each and every day. We’re focusing on the big ones. Fascism, Socialism, Communism, Marxism and Capitalism. The show covers the theorists who created these theories, touch on the circumstances that inspired their thinking and how far from these concepts we have moved as a society. Plus, we’ll talk through how most of these theories (except fascism) are more alike than we’ve been led to believe. (99 and Manny note: “Not the most scintillating episode, but Max was so excited we didn’t have the heart to tell him.”) Resources Truthdig: Sheldon Wolin and Inverted Totalitarianism Book Love Joseph A. Schumpeter: Capitalism, Socialism, and Democracy Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels: The Communist Manifesto Karl Marx: The Eighteenth Brumaire of Louis Bonaparte Karl Marx: Das Kapital Adam Smith: The Wealth of Nations Pod Love Pitchfork Economics American Scandal: The Ice Pick Surgeon -- If you like #UNFTR, please leave us a rating and review on Apple Podcasts: unftr.com/rate and follow us on Facebook , Twitter and Instagram at @UNFTRpod. Visit us online at unftr.com . Buy yourself some Unf*cking Coffee at shop.unftr.com . Subscribe to Unf*cking The Republic on Substack at unftr.substack.com to get the essays these episode are framed around sent to your inbox every week. Check out the UNFTR Pod Love playlist on Spotify: spoti.fi/3yzIlUP. Visit our bookshop.org page at bookshop.org/shop/UNFTRpod to find the full UNFTR book list. Access the UN
Sat, October 16, 2021
From Bull Moose to Jackass: U.S. Progressivism from 1912 to 2021.
Today’s episode is a mashup of a Quickie and a full fledged Unf*cking. We start by going back in time to tell the origin story of the Progressive Party colloquially known as the Bull Moose Party. We examine the original party platform and draw a straight line between the issues facing the nation in 1912 that still face us today. Then we follow with a Quickie on three progressive members of the House of Representatives that give us hope for the future. Resources Indian Country Today: Theodore Roosevelt: ‘The Only Good Indians Are the Dead Indians’ Smithsonian Magazine: Why Teddy Roosevelt Tried to Bully His Way Onto the WWI Battlefield Britannica: Payne-Aldrich Tariff Act The American Presidency Project: Progressive Party Platform of 1912 Problem Solvers Caucus: Problem Solvers Caucus Unveils "Building Bridges" The American Prospect: The Progressive Caucus Wields Power jayapal.house.gov Progressive Punch: Scores khanna.house.gov Pressley.house.gov Al Jazeera: When it comes to Islamophobia, we need to name names Book Love Henry F. Pringle: Theodore Roosevelt Herbert Croly: The Promise of American Life: Updated Edition Pod Love Majority Report with Sam Seder Unf*cker Love Robert McDermott: Jone$town -- If you like #UNFTR, please leave us a rating and review on Apple Podcasts: unftr.com/rate and follow us on Facebook , Twitter and Instagram at @UNFTRpod. Visit us online at <a href="http
Sat, October 09, 2021
1 Year Anniversary: Look Back, Go Forward.
It’s the one-year anniversary of Unf*cking the Republic. Yay us. Only 1.6 million other podcasts have passed this historic mark. We couldn’t let the moment pass, however, without offering our profound thanks to those who got us here on this little journey of ours. So today we reflect a bit on the last year, draw some conclusions and tie things up with a bow. We end with a look forward at some of the issues we’re set to tackle in the coming months and remark on a few trends that are both hopeful and troubling as we continue to unf*ck the republic together. Thanks to all the Unf*ckers, Subf*ckers, UnCanuckers, Eurof*ckers and Down Under F*ckers for supporting the show. Onward! Pod Love TransLash Media: The Anti-Trans Hate Machine Callie Wright: Queersplaining -- If you like #UNFTR, please leave us a rating and review on Apple Podcasts: unftr.com/rate and follow us on Facebook , Twitter and Instagram at @UNFTRpod. Visit us online at unftr.com . Buy yourself some Unf*cking Coffee at shop.unftr.com . Subscribe to Unf*cking The Republic on Substack at unftr.substack.com to get the essays these episode are framed around sent to your inbox every week. Check out the UNFTR Pod Love playlist on Spotify: spoti.fi/3yzIlUP. Visit our bookshop.org page at bookshop.org/shop/UNFTRpod to find the full UNFTR book list. Access the UNFTR Musicless feed by following the instructions at unftr.com/accessibility . Unf*cking the Republic is produced and engineered by Manny Faces Media ( mannyfacesmedia.com ). Original music is by Tom McGovern ( tommcgovern.com ). The show is written and hosted by College Street and distributed on Appleton. Podcast art description: Image of the US Constitution ripped in the middle revealing white text on a blue background that says, ‘Unf*cking the Republic.’ Support the show: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/unftr See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Sat, October 02, 2021
The Washington Consensus: Consensus is not consent.
Economist John Williamson presented a paper titled The Washington Consensus in 1989. More of a reflection than a policy statement, the Washington Consensus became a policy framework in the neoliberal school of expansion and trade, particularly as it relates to Latin America and the Caribbean. Today we examine the legacy of Williamson’s seminal paper, how it has echoed throughout American foreign policy over time and what it portends for an uncertain economic future in the era of climate change. Oh, and it gives us another opportunity to say Fuck Milton Friedman. Resources Nancy Birdsall, Augusto de la Torre and Felipe Valencia Caicedo: The Washington Consensus- Assessing a Damaged Brand Wall Street Journal: Era of Brady Bonds Ends For Developing Nations WWF: Environmental Problems In Brazil Leonardo Gasparini, María Emma Santos and Leopoldo Tornarolli: Poverty in Latin America John Williamson: The Washington Consensus as Policy Prescription for Development John Williamson: The World According to John Williamson: Part II Book Love Imperialism, Neoliberalism, and Social Struggles in Latin America Neoliberal Meltdown and Social Protest by Carlos M. Vilas The Harvest of Neoliberalism by Jose Bell Lara and Delia Luisa Lopez Pod Love Best of the Left: #1426 The Liberation and Assimilation of Pride Month (6/26/21) Gender Reveal: Starter Packs Métis in Space Unf*cker Love China Heritage: On This Day: 11 September 2021, a Commemoration in Three Chapters -- If you like #UNFTR, please leave us a rating and review on Apple Podcasts: unftr.com/rate and follow us on Facebook , Twitter and <a h
Sat, September 25, 2021
UNFTR on LGBTQ: Behind the Acronyms.
Today we begin a conversation about the LGBTQ movement in the United States, with a nod to our Canadian friends as well. In order to properly introduce issues facing LGBTQ people into the larger context of socio economic and political topics we cover on UNFTR, we wanted to start with a conversation about the evolving language of inclusion and representation within the LGBTQ community. Resources Edmonton CityNews: Hope blossoms as first two-spirited MP elected Code Switch: Is It Time To Say R.I.P. to P.O.C.? Geneseo: Understanding Gender Identity and Gender Expression PBS: American Experience- Stonewall Uprising New York Times: The Stonewall You Know Is a Myth. And That’s O.K Human Rights Campaign: Fatal Violence Against the Transgender and Gender Non-Conforming Community in 2021 National Center For Transgender Equality: LGBTQ People Behind Bars Human Rights Campaign: Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity Definitions The Williams Institute: Poverty In The Lesbian, Gay, And Bisexual Community Columbia Journalism Review: How the word ‘queer’ was adopted by the LGBTQ community LGBTQIA Resource Center: UC Davis Resource Book Love Eric Cervini: The Deviant's War: The Homosexual vs. the United States of America Joey Mogul, Andrea Ritchie + Kay Whitlock: Queer (In)Justice: The Criminalization of LGBT People in the United States -- If you like #UNFTR, please leave us a rating and review on Apple Podcasts: unftr.com/rate and follow us on Facebook , Twitter and Instagram at @UNFTRpod. Visit us online at unftr.com . Buy yourself some Unf*cking Coffee at
Thu, September 23, 2021
BONUS: An interview with Unkechaug Chief Harry Wallace and Native Coffee Trader’s Amy Wallace.
Today we break from our format to introduce you to our partners from Native Coffee Traders on the Poospatuck Reservation in New York. Harry Wallace, the elected chief of the Unkechaug people, founded Native Coffee Traders in 1994. The company is now run by his niece and head roaster Amy Wallace. Harry and Amy joined Max in the studio to discuss issues facing native people today, the importance of economic development and sovereignty, and why their coffee is so fucking delicious. Resources Shop Unf*cking Coffee -- If you like #UNFTR, please leave us a rating and review on Apple Podcasts: unftr.com/rate and follow us on Facebook , Twitter and Instagram at @UNFTRpod. Visit us online at unftr.com . Buy yourself some Unf*cking Coffee at shop.unftr.com . Subscribe to Unf*cking The Republic on Substack at unftr.substack.com to get the essays these episode are framed around sent to your inbox every week. Check out the UNFTR Pod Love playlist on Spotify: spoti.fi/3yzIlUP. Visit our bookshop.org page at bookshop.org/shop/UNFTRpod to find the full UNFTR book list. Access the UNFTR Musicless feed by following the instructions at unftr.com/accessibility . Unf*cking the Republic is produced and engineered by Manny Faces Media ( mannyfacesmedia.com ). Original music is by Tom McGovern ( tommcgovern.com ). The show is written and hosted by Max and distributed by 99. Podcast art description: Image of the US Constitution ripped in the middle revealing white text on a blue background that says, ‘Unf*cking the Republic.’ Support the show: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/unftr See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Sat, September 18, 2021
Building the Climate Industrial Complex: Strange Bedfellows, Wildfires and Heat Waves.
The world is more fucked than the United States. And we’re pretty fucked, so that’s saying a lot. Perhaps there’s a way to mitigate this mess by playing upon our worst instincts as a nation and the competitiveness that drives the world. Today we take an alternative view of our response to climate change through the lens of the most dispassionate and powerful observer in the world: The U.S. Military. It’s known for decades that the planet is fucked. And they’ve been preparing in plain sight. Resources IPCC- Summary for Policymakers Institute for Policy Integrity- Gauging Economic Consensus on Climate Change Center for Climate and Security- Chronology of Military and Intelligence Concerns About Climate Change World Economic Forum- This is how climate change could impact the global economy Swiss Re- World economy set to lose up to 18% GDP from climate change if no action taken New York Times- 40 Million People Rely on the Colorado River. It’s Drying Up Fast. The Black Vault- 1990 U.S. Naval Report Sub Love Adam Tooze- Chartbook Spencer Ackerman- Forever Wars Book Love Michael T. Klare - All Hell Breaking Loose: The Pentagon’s Perspective on Climate Change Pod Love Slate- What Next TBD Global Optimism- Outrage and Optimism Unf*cker Love Daron Davis: An unfortunate name but a profound podcast -- If you like #UNFTR, please leave us a rating and review on Apple Podcasts: unftr.com/rate and follow us on Facebook , <a href="https://
Sat, September 11, 2021
9/11: A Story in Three Parts.
Today’s episode is a departure from our normal format. We were tempted to let the 20th anniversary of 9/11 pass given it will be oversaturated with remembrances and armchair punditry as well as the usual tragedy porn imagery. But the impact of 9/11 remains so widespread that it’s impossible to ignore. So, we wanted to add something honest, critical and ultimately hopeful to the mix. This episode contains none of our typical irreverence or profanity, nor do we traffic in speculation or conspiracy. Rather, this is a story of a consequential date in history told in three parts and beginning nearly 50 years ago. Resources Pew Research Center: Americans Name the 10 Most Significant Historic Events of Their Lifetimes OECD: Chile: focus on reducing inequality to strengthen social and economic recovery from COVID-19 GovInfo: Authorization for Use of Military Force AARC Public Library Contents: Church Committee Reports Book Love Jeremy Scahill: Blackwater: The Rise of the World's Most Powerful Mercenary Army Jeremy Scahill: Dirty Wars: The World Is a Battlefield Pod Love Sarah Kendzior and Andrea Chalupa’s Gaslit Nation UNFTR Economics Episodes Playlists -- If you like #UNFTR, please leave us a rating and review on Apple Podcasts: unftr.com/rate and follow us on Facebook , Twitter and Instagram at @UNFTRpod. Visit us online at unftr.com . Buy yourself some Unf*cking Coffee at shop.unftr.com . Subscribe to Unf*cking The Republic on Substack at unftr.substack.com to get the essays these episode are framed around sent to your inbox every week. Check out the UNFTR Pod Love playlist on Spotify: spoti.fi/3yzIlUP. </
Sat, September 04, 2021
Californication: F*cking Around with our Biggest Economy.
The last time California had a “successful” gubernatorial recall, Arnold Schwarzenegger became governor. While we try not to wade into current events, there is significance in this current attempt to unseat Gavin Newsom that goes far beyond the borders of California. In this episode we catch up on what’s happening in California. Beyond the biblical weather events, an ongoing plague and rampant homelessness, there are silver linings in economic terms that could theoretically ameliorate many of the deep issues our biggest state faces. But there’s another dark scenario beyond blowing this moment and upending the political framework of Cali. Resources CalMatters: Measuring California’s progress on income inequality The Atlantic: What California’s Recall Election Says About America Wikipedia: 2003 California gubernatorial recall election California Secretary of State: Recall History in California (1913 to Present) New York Times: California Could Throw Away What It’s Won Bloomberg: California Defies Doom With No. 1 U.S. Economy Statista: Real value added to the GDP of California in 2020 LA Times: After decades of Republican victories, here’s how California became a blue state again ITEP: Who Pays? 6th Edition – State-by-State Data PPIC: Who’s Leaving California—and Who’s Moving In? Pod Love Canadaland: The Backbench Canadaland: The White Saviors -- If you like #UNFTR, please leave us a rating and review on Apple Podcasts: unftr.com/rate and follow us on Facebook , Twitter and Instagram at @UNFTRpod. Visit us online at unftr.com</a
Sat, August 28, 2021
Procedural F*ckery: Quirks of our "Democracy."
We love to promote our democratic principles. We love to spread them across the globe as well. But there are three procedural quirks in our system that are so laughably undemocratic it’s surreal. The Electoral College, filibuster and gerrymandering have been such integral parts of our system for so long that we barely recognize them for the travesties they are. Right now, Democrats have tenuous control over the system and the ability to change the course of democracy for decades to come. So why don’t they? Today’s episode digs into the racist history of these three significant aspects of our republic, the Republicans who will do anything to protect them, and the feckless Democrats who maintain the status quo. View this episode's site page by going to unftr.com/episodes/unftr31 . Resources Congress: For the People Act Congress: Fair Representation Act Congressmen Beyer: House Democrats Reintroduce Fair Representation Act Brennan Center For Justice: Rucho v. Common Cause Brennan Center For Justice: Gerrymandering Explained Brennan Center For Justice: What Is Extreme Gerrymandering? Fair Vote: Ranked Choice Voting Legislation Fair Vote: 2021 State Legislation on Ranked Choice Voting Fair Vote: Details about Ranked Choice Voting Fair Vote: Gerrymandering Reform Innovations The Hill: Replacing 'winner-takes-all' system would end gerrymandering Common Cause: Fair Maps, Fair Representation and a Fair Say Common Cause: Gerrymander Gazette Newsletter Pod Love improv4humans with Matt Besser -- If you like #UNFTR, please leave us a rating and review on Apple Po
Sat, August 21, 2021
When We Leave: Afghanistan Tomorrow and Forever.
Operation “Blame the Afghan People” is in full swing. The countdown to us forgetting completely about Afghanistan has also just begun and the media is doing its best to shove a comparative narrative to Vietnam down our throats. Today’s episode explores our national amnesia, examines the Vietnam comparison, talks about what happens when our occupations end and questions the continuation of a wartime military budget. Resources Peter G. Peterson Foundation: Budget Basics: National Defense The Intercept: $10,000 Invested in Defense Stocks When Afghanistan War Began Now Worth Almost $100,000 World Economic Forum: The story of Vietnam's economic miracle Vietnam Briefing: Vietnam’s Economy, FDI Show Steady Growth but Fourth Wave a Concern The World Bank: The World Bank In Vietnam CTV News: 'Canada left them behind': Afghan interpreters and their families plead to be evacuated from Afghanistan CBC: N.S. veteran unhappy as Taliban retakes control of Afghanistan War On The Rocks: China’s Strategic Assessment of Afghanistan Congress: H.Res.1003 — 116th Congress -- If you like #UNFTR, please leave us a rating and review on Apple Podcasts: unftr.com/rate and follow us on Facebook , Twitter and Instagram at @UNFTRpod. Visit us online at unftr.com . Buy yourself some Unf*cking Coffee at shop.unftr.com . Subscribe to Unf*cking The Republic on Substack at unftr.substack.com to get the essays these episode are framed around sent to your inbox every week. Check out the UNFTR Pod Love playlist on Spotify: spoti.fi/3yzIlUP. Visit our books
Sat, August 14, 2021
August 2021 Quickie - Power Is as Power Does: Immigration, Budgets and Drones.
Momma always said, "Power is as power does." With democrats in charge, Bernie managing the budget and endless wars ending, it's a new day in Washington. Or is it? Today's Quickie highlights three policies - Immigration, Military Spending and Drone Strikes - that seemed to be changing under Biden but might be more of the same. Resources The Intercept - Nobody Knows the Identities of the 150 People Killed by U.S. in Somalia, but Most Are Certain They Deserved It Geopolitical Futures - Why the US Cares About Somalia Politico - House votes to repeal decades-old war powers amid Middle East debate Politico - Iraq War authorization repeal clears key Senate hurdle Bloomberg - U.S. Steps Up Air Strikes Against al-Qaeda Ally in Somalia -- If you like #UNFTR, please leave us a rating and review on Apple Podcasts: unftr.com/rate and follow us on Facebook , Twitter and Instagram at @UNFTRpod. Visit us online at unftr.com . Buy yourself some Unf*cking Coffee at shop.unftr.com . Subscribe to Unf*cking The Republic on Substack at unftr.substack.com to get the essays these episode are framed around sent to your inbox every week. Check out the UNFTR Pod Love playlist on Spotify . Visit our bookshop.org page at bookshop.org/shop/UNFTRpod to find the full UNFTR book list. Access the UNFTR Musicless feed by following the instructions at unftr.com/accessibility . Unf*cking the Republic is produced and engineered by Manny Faces Media ( mannyfacesmedia.com ). Original music is by Tom McGovern ( tommcgovern.com ). The show is written and hosted by Danny DeVito (from It's Always Sunny...not Taxi) and distributed by horse and buggy. Podcast art description: Image of the US Constitution ripped in the middle revealing white text on a blue background that says, ‘Unf*cking the Republic.’<
Sat, August 07, 2021
The Economics of Racism: Bootstraps, Black Banks and Redlining.
Progressives continually lose the debate on issues of institutional poverty, structural inequality and systemic racism because they’re loaded with history and meaning that require thinking. It’s a lot easier to say, “Make America Great Again,” “Free Markets,” or “America First.” This episode uncovers the economic side of systemic racism in the United States throughout history and how it led to the uncomfortable reality where Blacks in America have been locked out of every period of wealth accumulation by design. We ask and answer difficult questions that used to only be asked in polite company but have now become off-the-cuff talking points on the right. The show also challenges conventional economic wisdom within the Black community and draws a conclusion that can only be called “inevitable”: Reparations or Revolution. Resources Electronic Frontier Foundation - The FCC and States Must Ban Digital Redlining: eff.org/deeplinks/2021/01/fcc-and-states-must-ban-digital-redlining CNET - The broadband gap's dirty secret: Redlining still exists in digital form: cnet.com/features/the-broadband-gaps-dirty-secret-redlining-still-exists-in-digital-form NDIA - AT&T’s Digital Redlining Of Cleveland: digitalinclusion.org/blog/2017/03/10/atts-digital-redlining-of-cleveland Public Knowledge - It’s 2021. Why is Redlining Still Happening?: publicknowledge.org/blog/its-2021-why-is-redlining-still-happening/ Bloomberg - Amazon Doesn’t Consider the Race of Its Customers. Should It?: bloomberg.com/graphics/2016-amazon-same-day Book Love Mehrsa Baradaran - The Color of Money: Black Banks and the Racial Wealth Gap: bookshop.org/a/23377/9780674237476 Richard Rothstein - The Color of Law: A Forgotten History of How Our Government Segregated America: bookshop.org/a/23377/9781631494536 Adam Jentleson - Kill Switch: The Rise of the Modern Senate and the Crippling of American Democracy: bookshop.org/a/23377/9781631497773 Jelani Cobb - The Essential Kerner Commission Report: bookshop.org/a/23377/9781631498923 Pod Love Pit
Sat, July 31, 2021
Oh, Canada: Digging through America’s attic.
They look like us. Sound (mostly) like us. And they know everything about us. And yet, we know precious little about our best friends up north. That ends today, Unf*ckers. Today we cast our gaze upwards to honor our friends and allies from the Great White North. Our friends at Canadaland, the top independent political pod network in Canada, help guide the ship today as we give a brief overview of the Canadian economic and political system and dispel a few myths along the way. Resources Canadian $$ in Tax Havens Reach $199 Billion: taxfairness.ca/en/news/canadian-tax-havens-reach-199-billion Book Love David McGrane- Applied Political Theory and Canadian Politics: bookshop.org/a/23377/9781442628434 Gary Schlee- Unknown and Unforgettable: A Guide to Canada's Prime Ministers: bit.ly/3zR9R0o Pod Love Canadaland: canadaland.com/shows/canadaland/ The Backbench: canadaland.com/shows/backbench/ -- If you like #UNFTR, please leave us a rating and review on Apple Podcasts: unftr.com/rate and follow us on Facebook , Twitter and Instagram at @UNFTRpod. Visit us online at unftr.com . Buy yourself some Unf*cking Coffee at shop.unftr.com . Subscribe to Unf*cking The Republic on Substack at unftr.substack.com to get the essays these episode are framed around sent to your inbox every week. Visit our bookshop.org page at bookshop.org/shop/UNFTRpod to find the full UNFTR book list. Access the UNFTR Musicless feed by following the instructions at unftr.com/accessibility . Unf*cking the Republic is produced and engineered by Manny Faces Media ( mannyfacesmedia.com ). Original music is by Tom McGovern ( tommcgovern.com ). The show is written and hosted by Max and distributed by 99. Podcast art description: Image of the US Constitution ripped in the middle revealing white text on a blue background that says, ‘Unf*cking the Republic.’ <a href="https://www.buymeacoffee.co
Sat, July 24, 2021
Best of: UNFTR Sketches.
We recorded today’s episode right before a brief vacation so the team could get some rest and chill out for a bit. So, we’re running a special show today to highlight the lighter side of UNFTR: our inter-episode sketches. To guide you through our sketch journey is the one, the only Manny Faces. Catch you back next week for a regular episode, Unf*ckers. -- If you like #UNFTR, please leave us a rating and review on Apple Podcasts: unftr.com/rate and follow us on Facebook , Twitter and Instagram at @UNFTRpod. Visit us online at unftr.com . Buy yourself some Unf*cking Coffee at shop.unftr.com . Subscribe to Unf*cking The Republic on Substack at unftr.substack.com to get the essays these episode are framed around sent to your inbox every week. Visit our bookshop.org page at bookshop.org/shop/UNFTRpod to find the full UNFTR book list. Access the UNFTR Musicless feed by following the instructions at unftr.com/accessibility . Unf*cking the Republic is produced and engineered by Manny Faces Media ( mannyfacesmedia.com ). Original music is by Tom McGovern ( tommcgovern.com ). The show is written and hosted by Max and distributed by beachside vacations. Podcast art description: Image of the US Constitution ripped in the middle revealing white text on a blue background that says, ‘Unf*cking the Republic.’ Support the show: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/unftr See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Sat, July 17, 2021
Occupy at 10: A Love Story.
We’re nearly 10 years on from Occupy Wall Street. We wanted to get a jump on the retrospective before every mainstream news outlet hops on and gives it perfunctory treatment and dismisses it as a failed movement. It wasn’t a failure. If anything, it was the scariest movement the establishment has seen since the anti-Vietnam War protests. It was fast but it was furious. And aspects of it continue to resonate through our society. It was the grand awakening from our post-9/11 haze and the people took to the streets to revolt against a system of inequality and systemic oppression. Occupy might have been brutally cleared from Zuccotti Park, but the spirit of the movement lives on through Progressives today and the lessons from it will carry us into the future. This is Occupy at 10: A Love Story. -- If you like #UNFTR, please leave us a rating and review on Apple Podcasts: unftr.com/rate and follow us on Facebook , Twitter and Instagram at @UNFTRpod. Visit us online at unftr.com . Buy yourself some Unf*cking Coffee at shop.unftr.com . Subscribe to Unf*cking The Republic on Substack at unftr.substack.com to get the essays these episode are framed around sent to your inbox every week. Visit our bookshop.org page at bookshop.org/shop/UNFTRpod to find the full UNFTR book list. Access the UNFTR Musicless feed by following the instructions at unftr.com/accessibility . Unf*cking the Republic is produced and engineered by Manny Faces Media ( mannyfacesmedia.com ). Original music is by Tom McGovern ( tommcgovern.com ). The show is written and hosted by This Guy Right Here and distributed by Fuhgeddaboudit. Podcast art description: Image of the US Constitution ripped in the middle revealing white text on a blue background that says, ‘Unf*cking the Republic.’ Support the show: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/unftr See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Sat, July 10, 2021
Modern Monetary Theory: Can we afford it? Yes. Yes, we can.
Few concepts get under the skin of traditional economists, Wall Street executives and academics as Modern Monetary Theory, or MMT. We’ve been building to this episode for quite a while in our examinations of the United States budget and it’s time to properly unf*ck this massively important economic concept. MMT posits the idea that any government that issues its own currency can run extraordinary deficits to finance basically anything without fear of negative monetary or fiscal consequences. In short, all of those wonderful progressive notions like universal healthcare, a federal jobs guarantee and food security are entirely possible without mortgaging our future. Book Love Stephanie Kelton- The Deficit Myth: Modern Monetary Theory and the Birth of the People's Economy: bookshop.org/a/23377/9781541736184 Pod Love UNFTR Economics Playlist: spoti.fi/3yH2O9Z -- If you like #UNFTR, please leave us a rating and review on Apple Podcasts: unftr.com/rate and follow us on Facebook , Twitter and Instagram at @UNFTRpod. Visit us online at unftr.com . Buy yourself some Unf*cking Coffee at shop.unftr.com . Subscribe to Unf*cking The Republic on Substack at unftr.substack.com to get the essays these episode are framed around sent to your inbox every week. Visit our bookshop.org page at bookshop.org/shop/UNFTRpod to find the full UNFTR book list. Access the UNFTR Musicless feed by following the instructions at unftr.com/accessibility . Unf*cking the Republic is produced and engineered by Manny Faces Media ( mannyfacesmedia.com ). Original music is by Tom McGovern ( tommcgovern.com ). The show is written and hosted by Bill and distributed by Ted. Podcast art description: Image of the US Constitution ripped in the middle revealing white text on a blue background that says, ‘Unf*cking the Republic.’ Support the show: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/unftr See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Sat, July 03, 2021
Stupid White Guy Olympics: Governors Kemp, DeSantis and Abbott.
In today’s Quickie we celebrate the upcoming Olympics with our own field of challengers for the nation’s top Stupid White Guy! Exciting times. Our contestants include three Republican governors and it’s a real barn burner. Governors Kemp of Georgia, DeSantis of Florida and Abbott of Texas battle for the gold to be decided by Unf*ckers who can vote for their (least) favorite at unftr.com . -- If you like #UNFTR, please leave us a rating and review on Apple Podcasts: unftr.com/rate and follow us on Facebook , Twitter and Instagram at @UNFTRpod. Visit us online at unftr.com . Buy yourself some Unf*cking Coffee at shop.unftr.com . Subscribe to Unf*cking The Republic on Substack at unftr.substack.com to get the essays these episode are framed around sent to your inbox every week. Visit our bookshop.org page at bookshop.org/shop/UNFTRpod to find the full UNFTR book list. Access the UNFTR Musicless feed by following the instructions at unftr.com/accessibility . Unf*cking the Republic is produced and engineered by Manny Faces Media ( mannyfacesmedia.com ). Original music is by Tom McGovern ( tommcgovern.com ). The show is written and hosted by Inigo Montoya and distributed by True Love. Podcast art description: Image of the US Constitution ripped in the middle revealing white text on a blue background that says, ‘Unf*cking the Republic.’ Support the show: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/unftr See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Sat, June 26, 2021
How to Talk About the Trump Years: Or, "What the Fuck Just Happened??"
While the ink is still wet on the Trump era, we’re going to talk through what the real legacy might be before revisionists get a hold of it one way or another and navigate how we can have productive conversations about this period which still divides us. To many of us on the left, the mystery remains as to why anyone with a conscience would have voted for such an abhorrent, pugnacious, racist, misogynist, lecherous pufferfish like Trump. So we should dissect the man and his rhetoric before we attempt to determine where he fits into history. And we’ll offer some (hopefully) useful advice on how to talk to your (still) Trump supporting friends. Pod Love Check out the other great podcasts featured in The Times’ piece 8 Podcasts to Help Make Sense of Post-Trump America : https://www.nytimes.com/2021/04/21/arts/podcasts-trump-politics.html -- If you like #UNFTR, please leave us a rating and review on Apple Podcasts: unftr.com/rate and follow us on Facebook , Twitter and Instagram at @UNFTRpod. Visit us online at unftr.com . Buy yourself some Unf*cking Coffee at shop.unftr.com . Subscribe to Unf*cking The Republic on Substack at unftr.substack.com to get the essays these episode are framed around sent to your inbox every week. Visit our bookshop.org page at bookshop.org/shop/UNFTRpod to find the full UNFTR book list Access the UNFTR Musicless feed by following the instructions at unftr.com/accessibility. Unf*cking the Republic is produced and engineered by Manny Faces Media ( mannyfacesmedia.com ). Original music is by Tom McGovern ( tommcgovern.com ). The show is written and hosted by Bruno Tattaglia and distributed by Barzini all along. Podcast art description: Image of the US Constitution ripped in the middle revealing white text on a blue background that says, ‘Unf*cking the Republic.’ Support the show: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/unftr See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Sat, June 19, 2021
Manufacturing Dissent: How We Let an Aussie Destroy the U.S.
Today we take on News Corp., the most egregious example of “manufactured consent.” The fact that we let this monster from down under invade our thought space and contaminate the discourse in this nation is a crime. Rupert Murdoch’s companies have made us dumber, angrier and more susceptible to conspiracies. Of this there can be no doubt. To reveal how he accomplished this, we’ll travel through a brief history of American media, discuss the legislation at the center of the disaster that is our media, and place our polarized news landscape in its proper context. The pivot centerpoint of our feature is 1996. Max also introduces two new themes into the show and addresses listener feedback to the Fuck Milton Friedman episode during show notes. #FMF #FRM Pod Love Ralph Nader Radio Hour- Be a Smart News Consumer: https://spoti.fi/3gBzF8Q Book Love Michael Wolff- The Man Who Owns the News: Inside the Secret World of Rupert Murdoch: https://bookshop.org/a/23377/9780767929523 Ken Auletta- Backstory: Inside the Business of News: https://bookshop.org/a/23377/9780143034636 Matt Taibbi- Hate, Inc.: Why Today's Media Makes Us Despise One Another: https://bookshop.org/a/23377/9781682194072 Noam Chomsky + Edward S. Herman- Manufacturing Consent: The Political Economy of the Mass Media: https://bookshop.org/a/23377/9780375714498 -- If you like #UNFTR, please leave us a rating and review on Apple Podcasts: unftr.com/rate and follow us on Facebook , Twitter and Instagram at @UNFTRpod. Visit us online at unftr.com . Buy yourself some Unf*cking Coffee at shop.unftr.com . Subscribe to Unf*cking The Republic on Substack at unftr.substack.com to get the essays these episode are framed around sent to your inbox every week. Visit our bookshop.org page at bookshop.org/shop/UNFTRpod to find the full UNFTR book list Access the UNFTR Musicless feed by following the instructions at unftr.com/accessibility. Unf*cking the Republic is produced and engineered by Manny Faces Media ( mannyfacesmedia.com ). Original music is by Tom McGovern ( tommcgovern.com ). The show is w
Thu, June 10, 2021
Fuck Milton Friedman: The Chicago School of Economics.
Here we are Unf*ckers. It’s our great hope that we contextualize the Chicago School of Economics and its high priest Milton Friedman by alternately expanding our view of the world and narrowing in on crucial moments that changed the course of history. As mentioned in the teaser last week, we’ll give credit where credit is due. At no point will we call into question the intellect or even integrity of Milton Friedman or the institution he is synonymous with. To the contrary, we firmly believe that Milton Friedman was indeed a man of great integrity. His downfall, as we’ll argue, was his undying commitment to orthodoxy. His belief that economics is an exact science and that markets are inherently just and therefore capable of taming the worst instincts of human nature. Fuck. Milton. Friedman. Pod Love Economic Update with Richard D. Wolff: economicupdate.libsyn.com Pitchfork Economics with Nick Hanauer: pitchforkeconomics.com The David McWilliams Podcast: davidmcwilliams.ie/podcast Book Love Joseph Stiglitz- People, Power, and Profits: Progressive Capitalism for an Age of Discontent: bookshop.org/a/23377/9780393358339 Binyamin Appelbaum- The Economists' Hour: False Prophets, Free Markets, and the Fracture of Society: bookshop.org/a/23377/9780316512329 Johan Van Overtveldt- The Chicago School: How the University of Chicago Assembled the Thinkers Who Revolutionized Economics and Business: bookshop.org/a/23377/9781932841190 Zachary D. Carter- The Price of Peace: Money, Democracy, and the Life of John Maynard Keynes: bookshop.org/a/23377/9780525509035 Thomas Piketty- Capital and Ideology: bookshop.org/a/23377/9780674980822 -- If you like #UNFTR, please leave us a rating and review on Apple Podcasts: unftr.com/rate and follow us on Facebook , Twitter and Instagram at @UNFTRpod. Visit us online at unftr.com . Buy yourself some Unf*cking Coffee at shop.unftr.com . Subscribe to Unf*cking The Republic on Substack at unftr.substack.com to get the essays these episode are framed around sent to your inbox every week. Visit our bookshop.org page at
Thu, June 03, 2021
Chicago School Teaser Trailer
In this teaser episode we do a quick recap on why the fuck we're so mad at Milton Friedman and briefly summarize prior episodes that are useful primers on our upcoming blowout episode on The Chicago School of Economics. -- If you like #UNFTR, please leave us a rating and review on Apple Podcasts: unftrpod.com/rate and follow us on Facebook , Twitter and Instagram at @UNFTRpod. Visit us online at unftr.com . Buy yourself some Unf*cking Coffee at shop.unftr.com . Subscribe to Unf*cking The Republic on Substack at unftr.substack.com to get the essays these episode are framed around sent to your inbox every week. Visit our bookshop.org page at bookshop.org/shop/UNFTRpod to find the full UNFTR book list. Access the UNFTR Musicless feed by adding this direct RSS link into your podcast app. Full instructions here . Unf*cking the Republic is produced and engineered by Manny Faces Media , Original music by Tom McGovern . The show is written, hosted and distributed by Max. Podcast art description: Image of the US Constitution ripped in the middle revealing white text on a blue background that says, ‘Unf*cking the Republic.’ Support the show: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/unftr See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Sat, May 29, 2021
The Problem with Conscious Capitalism: ESG, SRI and FMF.
Today we examine Conscious Capitalism™ as an organization (the trademarked entity) and Conscious Capitalism the movement characterized by the investment concepts of Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) and Socially Responsible Investing (SRI). This is the final building block as we continue on our collision course with Milton Friedman and the Chicago School of Economics. The promise of Conscious Capitalism as a concept, ESG and SRI is that capitalism on its own can and will voluntarily cure the societal ills it causes through the auspices of further deregulation and free markets. Spoiler: It’s a load of horseshit. Enjoy! Resources Economic Policy Institute- Wage Stagnation in Nine Charts: epi.org/publication/charting-wage-stagnation Good Jobs First- Violation Tracker Parent Company Summary: violationtracker.goodjobsfirst.org/parent/dte-energy Yahoo! Finance- Vanguard FTSE Social Index Fund Admiral: finance.yahoo.com/quote/VFTAX/holdings?p=VFTAX Infoplease- The Toxic 100: Top Corporate Air Polluters: infoplease.com/math-science/earth-environment/the-toxic-100-top-corporate-air-polluters Conscious Capitalism- Board of Directors: consciouscapitalism.org/boardofdirectors -- If you like #UNFTR, please leave us a rating and review on Apple Podcasts: unftr.com/rate and follow us on Facebook , Twitter and Instagram at @UNFTRpod. Visit us online at unftr.com . Buy yourself some Unf*cking Coffee at shop.unftr.com . Subscribe to Unf*cking The Republic on Substack at unftr.substack.com to get the essays these episode are framed around sent to your inbox every week. Visit our bookshop.org page at bookshop.org/shop/UNFTRpod to find the full UNFTR book list. Access the UNFTR Musicless feed by following the instructions at unftr.com/accessibility. Unf*cking the Republic is produced and engineered by Manny Faces Media ( mannyfacesmedia.com ). Original music is by Tom McGovern ( tommcgovern.com ).The show is written and hos
Sat, May 22, 2021
Cuba (Not So) Libre: "Vas Bien, Fidel."
Since 1959, the island nation of Cuba has been giving the middle finger to the United States. Cuba has been in the control of a Castro through thirteen separate presidential administrations and they’ve made it in the most unlikely of ways under the most improbable circumstances. This is episode of UNFTR begins with a slightly different perspective on the 1959 Revolution that has evaded most retellings in U.S. history books and follows the twisted journey of Fidel Castro and his brother Raul through the heights of the Cold War, the despair of their “Special Period” and quasi-resurgence as the beating heart of the socialist movement in Latin America. Pod Love Blowback Season 2- The Cuban Revolution: https://blowback.show/ Book Love Samuel Farber- Cuba Since the Revolution of 1959: A Critical Assessment: https://bookshop.org/a/23377/9781608461394 Jorge G. Castañeda- Companero: The Life and Death of Che Guevara: https://bookshop.org/a/23377/9780679759409 Richard A. Dello Buono + José Bell Lara- Imperialism, Neoliberalism, and Social Struggles in Latin America: https://bookshop.org/a/23377/9781608460403 -- If you like #UNFTR, please leave us a rating and review on Apple Podcasts: unftr.com/rate and follow us on Facebook , Twitter and Instagram at @UNFTRpod. Visit us online at unftr.com . Buy yourself some Unf*cking Coffee at shop.unftr.com . Subscribe to Unf*cking The Republic on Substack at unftr.substack.com to get the essays these episode are framed around sent to your inbox every week. Visit our bookshop.org page at bookshop.org/shop/UNFTRpod to find the full UNFTR book list. Access the UNFTR Musicless feed by adding this direct RSS link into your podcast app. Full instructions here . Unf*cking the Republic is produced and engineered by Manny Faces Media , Original music by Tom McGovern . The show is written and hosted by Camilo’s Hat and Beard and distributed by
Sat, May 15, 2021
May 2021 Quickie: Republican Rehab.
The media has been hard at work lately trying to rehabilitate the image of three significant members of the Republican Party. So we’re not going to let them. In today’s Quickie we examine the legacy of George W. Bush, John Boehner and Rick Santorum and remind everyone of just how terrible they are as people and were as politicians. -- If you like #UNFTR, please leave us a rating and review on Apple Podcasts: unftr.com/rate and follow us on Facebook , Twitter and Instagram at @UNFTRpod. Visit us online at unftr.com . Buy yourself some Unf*cking Coffee at shop.unftr.com . Subscribe to Unf*cking The Republic on Substack at unftr.substack.com to get the essays these episode are framed around sent to your inbox every week. Visit our bookshop.org page at bookshop.org/shop/UNFTRpod to find the full UNFTR book list. Access the UNFTR Musicless feed by adding this direct RSS link into your podcast app. Full instructions here . Unf*cking the Republic is produced and engineered by Manny Faces Media , Original music by Tom McGovern . The show is written and hosted by John Wick’s lesser known brother and distributed by Elon Musk’s lies. Podcast art description: Image of the US Constitution ripped in the middle revealing white text on a blue background that says, ‘Unf*cking the Republic.’ Support the show: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/unftr See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Fri, May 07, 2021
The Assange Problem: Either Set Him Free or Go Full Fascism.
Assange is a complicated figure personally and historically. And he evokes pretty strong reactions on both sides. Mostly though we don’t think about him at all. With the exception of occasional reports whenever there’s an update on his charges or extradition attempts, Assange has been sort of back burnered. Considering the stakes at play for the U.S. media, this should be surprising or even troubling. Today we’re going to review the story of WikiLeaks and put the debate over the fate of Assange in the only context it should be - to answer the question of just how serious we are about our concept of democracy, free speech and the role of the fourth estate. Pod Love Intercepted with Jeremy Scahill- Joe Biden's War Powers: https://spoti.fi/3hb95oM Media Roots Radio with Abby & Robbie Martin- Assange Trial: Torture, Trumped Up Charges & A Warning to Us All w/ Kevin Gosztola: https://spoti.fi/3f4bMGg News Beat- Chelsea Manning: Collateral Murder Cover-Up: https://spoti.fi/3nVIEVu News Beat- Espionage Act & The Battle For The Free Press: https://spoti.fi/2R6rt7E Book Love Glenn Greenwald- No Place to Hide: Edward Snowden, the NSA, and the U.S. Surveillance State: https://bookshop.org/a/23377/9781250062581 Tariq Ali + Margaret Kunstler- In Defense of Julian Assange: https://bookshop.org/a/23377/9781682192214 -- If you like #UNFTR, please leave us a rating and review on Apple Podcasts: unftr.com/rate and follow us on Facebook , Twitter and Instagram at @UNFTRpod. Visit us online at unftr.com . Buy yourself some Unf*cking Coffee at shop.unftr.com . Subscribe to Unf*cking The Republic on Substack at unftr.substack.com to get the essays these episode are framed around sent to your inbox every week. Visit our bookshop.org page at bookshop.org/shop/UNFTRpod to find the full UNFTR book list. Access the UNFTR Musicless feed by adding this direct RSS link into your podcast app.
Fri, April 30, 2021
Corporate (Ir)Responsibility (Part II): Deregulation and Catastrophe.
We briefly recap what we covered in Part I as a refresher then launch into some of the more egregious examples of how corporations have used their political leverage to create massive tax loopholes and that have left them flush with cash. This preposterous sum of cash has also given corporations the ability to flout regulations they have yet to rewrite by simply paying fines instead of complying with the law. For the first time we also hear directly from this show’s dead nemesis, Milton Friedman, to understand how contributed to the scaffolding around the corporate wall of fuckery that helped corporate America wage war on the consumer. We conclude with a warning about e-commerce giant Amazon and highlight critical changes that must be made to our system of regulations and taxation to take back some of the power corporations have gained over the past fifty years. Show Notes: Pod Love Useful Idiots- David Sirota on the SALT Tax Cap, Plus: Is Biden Really the new FDR? https://open.spotify.com/episode/56YGPgcvSacHi45266ZABR?si=h7iLcO8lSU6QVV_od9aS5Q&nd=1 Best of the Left- #1414 Go Home and Go Big (Infrastructure Investment, Jobs and Climate Mitigation) https://open.spotify.com/episode/1rdqVp9vIJVG10ERHNRQ7m?si=2YqmjDCEQh6FfBZNefNDGQ Book Love Matt Taibbi- Griftopia: A Story of Bankers, Politicians, and the Most Audacious Power Grab in American History https://bookshop.org/a/23377/9780385529969 Jane Mayer- Dark Money: The Hidden History of the Billionaires Behind the Rise of the Radical Right https://bookshop.org/a/23377/9780307947901 Zachary D. Carter- The Price of Peace: Money, Democracy, and the Life of John Maynard Keynes https://bookshop.org/a/23377/9780525509035 -- If you like #UNFTR, please leave us a rating and review on Apple Podcasts: unftr.com/rate and follow us on Facebook , Twitter and Instagram at @UNFTRpod. Visit us online at unftr.com . Buy yourself some Unf*cking Coffee at shop.unftr.com . Subscribe to Unf*cking The Republic on Substack at unftr.substack.com to get the essays these episode are framed around sent to your inbox every week. Visit our bookshop.org page at <a href="https://booksho
Sat, April 24, 2021
Corporate (Ir)Responsibility (Part I): Financial Fuckery and Tax Evasion.
Mitch McTurtlefuck recently chastised Corporate America for butting into politics, which we all know is a joke. But it highlights the insidious nature of the relationship between American companies and the U.S. government. One of the biggest grifts of our time isn’t just the rapid rise of the billionaire class in this country, it’s the mechanisms that allow corporations to hide trillions of dollars from taxation. This week’s UNFTR delves into the movement to lower corporate tax rates that started in the late 70’s and explains how the tax evasion shell game really works. It’s the first of a two-part series on financial fuckery, much of which was devised by old you-know-who. #FMF Pod Love Timesuck with Dan Cummins - Blackwater and the US Private Military Industry Resources HBR: Why Are Companies Sitting on So Much Cash? hbr.org/2020/01/why-are-companies-sitting-on-so-much-cash The Atlantic: When the Top U.S. Tax Rate was 70 Percent—or Higher theatlantic.com/notes/2019/01/tax-rates-davos/581257 Bloomberg Tax: 10 Steps States Should Take to End Corporate Giveaways news.bloombergtax.com/daily-tax-report/insight-10-steps-states-should-take-to-end-corporate-giveaways Politico: Actually, it was Democrats who killed the 70 percent tax politico.com/agenda/story/2019/02/05/democrats-70-percent-tax-rate-000879 Foreign Policy: To Pay for the Pandemic, Dry Out the Tax Havens foreignpolicy.com/2020/07/16/tax-havens-apple-costs-pandemic Tax Policy Center: What is the TCJA repatriation tax and how does it work taxpolicycenter.org/briefing-book/what-tcja-repatriation-tax-and-how-does-it-work Tax Justice Network: Financial Secrecy Index - 2020 Results fsi.taxjustice.net/en/introduction/fsi-results OCCRP: Giant Leak of Offshore Financial Records Exposes Global Array of Crime and Corruption occrp.org/en/panamapapers/overview/reforming-secret-world Tax Foundation: How Much Reve
Fri, April 16, 2021
April 2021 Quickie: AOC & the Lying Men Hydra.
In today’s Quickie we’re taking a look at a developing phenomenon related to Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez. In reality it’s an age-old issue that all powerful women experience. The three separate things happening to AOC take the form of detractors from conservative, moderate and progressive circles. Related, because they all have one thing in common, which will become painfully clear. Pod Love Best of the Left: bestoftheleft.com/listen Book Love John Steinbeck- The Grapes of Wrath: bookshop.org/a/23377/9780143039433 -- If you like #UNFTR, please leave us a rating and review on Apple Podcasts: unftr.com/rate and follow us on Facebook , Twitter and Instagram at @UNFTRpod. Visit us online at unftr.com . Buy yourself some Unf*cking Coffee at shop.unftr.com . Subscribe to Unf*cking The Republic on Substack at unftr.substack.com to get the essays these episode are framed around sent to your inbox every week. Visit our bookshop.org page at bookshop.org/shop/UNFTRpod to find the full UNFTR book list. Access the UNFTR Musicless feed by adding this direct RSS link into your podcast app. Full instructions here . Unf*cking the Republic is produced and engineered by Manny Faces Media , Original music by Tom McGovern . The show is written and hosted by Cadwalader P Rittenhouse Jones the third and distributed by children in sweatshops. Podcast art description: Image of the US Constitution ripped in the middle revealing white text on a blue background that says, ‘Unf*cking the Republic.’ Support the show: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/unftr See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Fri, April 09, 2021
Mass Incarceration: The War On Drugs.
And a good day to you my beloved Unf*ckers. We’re back with another blood-boiling, enraging episode of Unf*cking the Republic. Mass Incarceration: The War on Drugs . It’s a topic that has thankfully come further into the light thanks to the profound work of several organizations such as the Prison Policy Initiative, The Sentencing Project, Innocence Project and more. This episode features a special clip from another incredible pod, News Beat, which does a ton of work on the issue of mass incarceration. Pod Love News Beat Podcast: link.chtbl.com/newsbeat Book Love Johann Hari- Chasing the Scream: The Opposite of Addiction Is Connection: bookshop.org/a/23377/9781620408902 Michelle Alexander- The New Jim Crow: bookshop.org/a/23377/9781620971932 Bryan Stevenson- Just Mercy: A Story of Justice and Redemption: bookshop.org/a/23377/9780812984965 Resources News Beat Podcast- Mass Incarceration: usnewsbeat.com/mass-incarceration Prison Policy Initiative: prisonpolicy.org/reports/pie2020.html , prisonpolicy.org/probation_parole.html The Sentencing Project: sentencingproject.org/criminal-justice-facts/ Brookings: brookings.edu/blog/up-front/2018/03/14/5-facts-about-prisoners-and-work-before-and-after-incarceration The Intercept- Gary Webb: theintercept.com/2014/09/25/managing-nightmare-cia-media-destruction-gary-webb The Atlantic- Violent Crime on the Decline: theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2016/04/what-caused-the-crime-decline/477408 -- If you like #UNFTR, please leave us a rating and review on Apple Podcasts: unftr.com/rate and follow us on Facebook , Twitter and Instagram at @UNFTRpod. Visit us online at unftr.com . Buy yourself some Unf*cking Coffee at shop.unftr.com . Subs
Mon, March 29, 2021
Culture Cancel: The American Holocaust.
Despite the occasional reference to poverty statistics or coverage of events like Standing Rock, the plight of Native Americans continues to be a blind spot in our politics. This episode frames the issue of economic justice by examining the historical relationship between sovereign Indian nations and the conquering governments of the U.S. and Canada. While the corporate media obsess over “cancel culture,” we explain how our governments tried to cancel the entire indigenous culture. The show ends with a modest proposal to borrow a Canadian strategy to begin an economic reconciliation in the U.S. that could be the proving ground for universal basic income. Pod Love The Laura Flanders Show- Indigenous People’s Power Let's Talk Native... with John Kane -- If you like #UNFTR, please leave us a rating and review on Apple Podcasts: unftr.com/rate and follow us on Facebook , Twitter and Instagram at @UNFTRpod. Visit us online at unftr.com . Buy yourself some Unf*cking Coffee at shop.unftr.com . Subscribe to Unf*cking The Republic on Substack at unftr.substack.com to get the essays these episode are framed around sent to your inbox every week. Visit our bookshop.org page at bookshop.org/shop/UNFTRpod to find the full UNFTR book list. Access the UNFTR Musicless feed by adding this direct RSS link into your podcast app. Full instructions here . Unf*cking the Republic is produced and engineered by Manny Faces Media , Original music by Tom McGovern . Written, hosted and distributed by Nunya Fuckin’ Bidness. Podcast art description: Image of the US Constitution ripped in the middle revealing white text on a blue background that says, ‘Unf*cking the Republic.’ Support the show: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/unftr See <a href="https://omnystudio.com/li
Fri, March 19, 2021
Stimulate This Beyotch.
The United States seems to have lost the ability to govern and has given itself over to the whims of corporations that are designing every inch of our lives, our economy, our domestic and foreign policies and ultimately our national priorities. In between busts in the boom and bust market cycles, we’re only capable of tinkering around the edges. As much as we desperately need another round of stimulus, it will be a pyrrhic victory if we don’t fix the structural imbalance in our nation that has repressed and subjugated the poor and working class. Pod Love Chapo Trap House - Episode 503 Unlocked: Will Talks to Steven Donziger About Taking on Chevron Professor Richard D. Wolff's Economic Update Podcast Book Love Michael Grunwald - The New New Deal: The Hidden Story of Change in the Obama Era -- If you like #UNFTR, please leave us a rating and review on Apple Podcasts: unftr.com/rate and follow us on Facebook , Twitter and Instagram at @UNFTRpod. Visit us online at unftr.com . Buy yourself some Unf*cking Coffee at shop.unftr.com . Subscribe to Unf*cking The Republic on Substack at unftr.substack.com to get the essays these episode are framed around sent to your inbox every week. Visit our bookshop.org page at bookshop.org/shop/UNFTRpod to find the full UNFTR book list. Access the UNFTR Musicless feed by adding this direct RSS link into your podcast app. Full instructions here . Unf*cking the Republic is produced and engineered by Manny Faces Media , Original music by Tom McGovern . Written, hosted and distributed by Nunya Fuckin’ Bidness. Podcast art description: Image of the US Constitution ripped in the middle revealing white text on a blue background that says, ‘Unf*cking the Republic.’ Support the show: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/unftr See <a href="https://omnystudio.com
Sat, March 13, 2021
March 2021 Quickie: Cuomo, Tanden & Manchin.
Hey Unf*ckers. We have a new “inter-episode” format - Unf*cking Quickies - meant to parachute into more current events by looking at three different, but related things happening in the world right now. In this inaugural Quickie we take a topical look at three members of the Democratic Party that are having very different experiences of late: embattled New York Governor Andrew Cuomo, failed O.M.B. appointee Neera Tanden, and Senator I’m-so-fucking-important Joe Manchin. -- If you like #UNFTR, please leave us a rating and review on Apple Podcasts: unftr.com/rate and follow us on Facebook , Twitter and Instagram at @UNFTRpod. Visit us online at unftr.com . Buy yourself some Unf*cking Coffee at shop.unftr.com . Subscribe to Unf*cking The Republic on Substack at unftr.substack.com to get the essays these episode are framed around sent to your inbox every week. Visit our bookshop.org page at bookshop.org/shop/UNFTRpod to find the full UNFTR book list. Access the UNFTR Musicless feed by adding this direct RSS link into your podcast app. Full instructions here . Unf*cking the Republic is produced and engineered by Manny Faces Media , and written, hosted and distributed by Nunya Fuckin’ Bidness. Podcast art description: Image of the US Constitution ripped in the middle revealing white text on a blue background that says, ‘Unf*cking the Republic.’ Support the show: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/unftr See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Fri, March 05, 2021
America Inc. Copyright, 2021.
“I’m from the government and I’m here to help.” These are the nine words Ronald Reagan called “terrifying.” Just another brick in the wall of disdain and deflection politicians use to get elected to the government they hate so much. Cascading structural failures in the system appears to give credence to claims of government incompetence but how much of it is actually by design? This week we unfuck the corporate attack on the system and break down the inherent evils of privatization and deregulation, the dreaded sisters of oligarchy. Show Notes: The Lewis Powell Memo: A Corporate Blueprint to Dominate Democracy Capitalizing on Mass Incarceration: U.S. Growth in Private Prisons From Pittsburgh to Flint, the Dire Consequences of Giving Private Companies Responsibility for Ailing Public Water Systems Towns sell their public water systems — and come to regret it -- If you like #UNFTR, please leave us a rating and review on Apple Podcasts: unftr.com/rate and follow us on Facebook , Twitter and Instagram at @UNFTRpod. Visit us online at unftr.com . Buy yourself some Unf*cking Coffee at shop.unftr.com . Subscribe to Unf*cking The Republic on Substack at unftr.substack.com to get the essays these episode are framed around sent to your inbox every week. Visit our bookshop.org page at bookshop.org/shop/UNFTRpod to find the full UNFTR book list. Access the UNFTR Musicless feed by adding this direct RSS link into your podcast app. Full instructions here . Unf*cking the Republic is produced and engineered by Manny Faces Media , and written, hosted and distributed by Nunya Fuckin’ Bidness. Podcast art description: Im
Mon, February 22, 2021
Unfucking Congress: And the Fucking Fuckers Who Fucked Us.
Congress is a quirky place. The rules are arcane. The people are diverse. The power struggle is real. We take a brief, and sometimes ridiculous journey through history to examine the beating heart of our democracy to find out whether or not Congress has always been this fucked up. We call out some of the best and worst actors in the 117th Congress, why it’s impossible to get anything done these days and look back at some of the biggest assholes that ruined it for everyone else. (Hint: Newt Gingrich has a starring role.) We finish with the biggest hurdles we face in straightening out this whole mess and the one priority that supersedes all else. Show Notes: The text of H.R. 1: https://www.congress.gov/bill/117th-congress/house-bill/1/text NYT Kinzinger Profile: https://www.nytimes.com/2021/02/15/us/politics/adam-kinzinger-republicans-trump.html Kill Switch: The Rise of the Modern Senate and the Crippling of American Democracy by Adam Jentleson: https://bookshop.org/a/23377/9781631497773 The Man Who Broke Politics Story by McKay Coppins: https://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2018/11/newt-gingrich-says-youre-welcome/570832/ NYT Op-Ed. Former Congressman Steve Israel: https://www.nytimes.com/2016/01/09/opinion/steve-israel-confessions-of-a-congressman.html -- If you like #UNFTR, please leave us a rating and review on Apple Podcasts: unftr.com/rate and follow us on Facebook , Twitter and Instagram at @UNFTRpod. Visit us online at unftr.com . Buy yourself some Unf*cking Coffee at shop.unftr.com . Subscribe to Unf*cking The Republic on Substack at unftr.substack.com to get the essays these episode are framed around sent to your inbox every week. Visit our bookshop.org page at bookshop.org/shop/UNFTRpod to find the full UNFTR book list. Access the UNFTR Musicless feed by adding this direct RSS link into your podcast app. <a href="https://help.wondery.com/
Wed, February 10, 2021
Dear Rebekkkah Mercer: A Love Letter To the Alt-Right's Sugar Mama.
As we covered in our insurrection episode, it’s actually quite difficult to take down an Empire, particularly one as fortified as the United States. But that hasn’t stopped one family from trying. If you haven’t met them yet, it’s our pleasure to introduce you to the Mercer family. The patriarch Robert is a reclusive billionaire—we think—who uses his fortune to fund fun initiatives like, rolling back Civil Rights legislation, climate change denial and alt-right white supremacist groups. His willing co-conspirator is his middle child, Rebekah, who is the subject of this episode and recipient of our love letter. Join us as we unfuck the Mercer fortune and discuss chaos is their chief desire. -- If you like #UNFTR, please leave us a rating and review on Apple Podcasts: unftr.com/rate and follow us on Facebook , Twitter and Instagram at @UNFTRpod. Visit us online at unftr.com . Buy yourself some Unf*cking Coffee at shop.unftr.com . Subscribe to Unf*cking The Republic on Substack at unftr.substack.com to get the essays these episode are framed around sent to your inbox every week. Visit our bookshop.org page at bookshop.org/shop/UNFTRpod to find the full UNFTR book list. Access the UNFTR Musicless feed by adding this direct RSS link into your podcast app. Full instructions here . Unf*cking the Republic is produced and engineered by Manny Faces Media , and written, hosted and distributed by Nunya Fuckin’ Bidness. Podcast art description: Image of the US Constitution ripped in the middle revealing white text on a blue background that says, ‘Unf*cking the Republic.’ Support the show: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/unftr See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Mon, February 01, 2021
The Beatification of Ronald Reagan.
The minute the election was called, the GOP went into high gear reshaping its image for the next cycle. Because nostalgia is its single greatest weapon, they’ll be digging into the archives to revise history once again. Nixon’s still forever off the table. George W. Bush will have Iraq hanging over him for decades to come. Bush Sr. was so forgettable he couldn’t win a second term. So that leaves the Gipper. Mark my words, the beatification of Ronald Reagan is already underway so it’s time to brush up on Dutch and remember his most fucked accomplishments, including one caper so diabolical we’re still living with it today. -- If you like #UNFTR, please leave us a rating and review on Apple Podcasts: unftr.com/rate and follow us on Facebook , Twitter and Instagram at @UNFTRpod. Visit us online at unftr.com . Buy yourself some Unf*cking Coffee at shop.unftr.com . Subscribe to Unf*cking The Republic on Substack at unftr.substack.com to get the essays these episode are framed around sent to your inbox every week. Visit our bookshop.org page at bookshop.org/shop/UNFTRpod to find the full UNFTR book list. Access the UNFTR Musicless feed by adding this direct RSS link into your podcast app. Full instructions here . Unf*cking the Republic is produced and engineered by Manny Faces Media , and written, hosted and distributed by Nunya Fuckin’ Bidness. Podcast art description: Image of the US Constitution ripped in the middle revealing white text on a blue background that says, ‘Unf*cking the Republic.’ Support the show: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/unftr See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Mon, January 25, 2021
How Trump Threw Away His Shot.
Is he gone yet? I mean really gone? Okay. Wow. So that happened. Holy shit, what a four years. This episode of Unf*cking The Republic briefly encapsulates the utter shit show that was the Trump administration while pointing out that we ultimately dodged a massive bullet precisely because it was a shit show. But while Trump’s stupidity is ultimately what saved the republic, he left behind a playbook for a more capable authoritarian to dismantle our democracy. Lastly, we’ll review the conditions necessary for a proper collapse and the one surprising factor that is ironically holding it all together. -- If you like #UNFTR, please leave us a rating and review on Apple Podcasts: unftr.com/rate and follow us on Facebook , Twitter and Instagram at @UNFTRpod. Visit us online at unftr.com . Buy yourself some Unf*cking Coffee at shop.unftr.com . Subscribe to Unf*cking The Republic on Substack at unftr.substack.com to get the essays these episode are framed around sent to your inbox every week. Visit our bookshop.org page at bookshop.org/shop/UNFTRpod to find the full UNFTR book list. Access the UNFTR Musicless feed by adding this direct RSS link into your podcast app. Full instructions here . Unf*cking the Republic is produced and engineered by Manny Faces Media , and written, hosted and distributed by Nunya Fuckin’ Bidness. Podcast art description: Image of the US Constitution ripped in the middle revealing white text on a blue background that says, ‘Unf*cking the Republic.’ Support the show: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/unftr See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Fri, January 15, 2021
Ayn Rand Was a Dick.
On this episode of UNFTR we unfuck the theory of “objectivism,” a movement inspired by novelist Ayn Rand in the 1950s and talk about how it still influences our politics today. We’ll uncover how this little Russian chain smoking gnome garnered a massive American following from her crappy novels and inspired generations of politicians who see themselves as the embodiment of John Galt, the protagonist of her most famous novel Atlas Shrugged . Who IS John Galt? Answer: Who gives a shit? -- If you like #UNFTR, please leave us a rating and review on Apple Podcasts: unftr.com/rate and follow us on Facebook , Twitter and Instagram at @UNFTRpod. Visit us online at unftr.com . Buy yourself some Unf*cking Coffee at shop.unftr.com . Subscribe to Unf*cking The Republic on Substack at unftr.substack.com to get the essays these episode are framed around sent to your inbox every week. Visit our bookshop.org page at bookshop.org/shop/UNFTRpod to find the full UNFTR book list. Access the UNFTR Musicless feed by adding this direct RSS link into your podcast app. Full instructions here . Unf*cking the Republic is produced and engineered by Manny Faces Media , and written, hosted and distributed by Nunya Fuckin’ Bidness. Podcast art description: Image of the US Constitution ripped in the middle revealing white text on a blue background that says, ‘Unf*cking the Republic.’ Support the show: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/unftr See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Tue, January 05, 2021
The Prosperity Doctrine: Christ as Capitalist.
Prior to the 20th Century evangelical Christians were seen as the babbling mystics and frauds that they were. Then something happened in the 1920s to legitimize these maniacs. Since then, conservative Christians have been inserting their throbbing dogma into America’s policy womb and transforming the nation. In this episode we trace the journey of the Christian Fundamentalist movement from its origins through to today where millions of Americans believe that a thrice divorced cheater who shits on a gold toilet is somehow a modern day savior in the image of Jesus Christ. -- If you like #UNFTR, please leave us a rating and review on Apple Podcasts: unftr.com/rate and follow us on Facebook , Twitter and Instagram at @UNFTRpod. Visit us online at unftr.com . Buy yourself some Unf*cking Coffee at shop.unftr.com . Subscribe to Unf*cking The Republic on Substack at unftr.substack.com to get the essays these episode are framed around sent to your inbox every week. Visit our bookshop.org page at bookshop.org/shop/UNFTRpod to find the full UNFTR book list. Access the UNFTR Musicless feed by adding this direct RSS link into your podcast app. Full instructions here . Unf*cking the Republic is produced and engineered by Manny Faces Media , and written, hosted and distributed by Nunya Fuckin’ Bidness. Podcast art description: Image of the US Constitution ripped in the middle revealing white text on a blue background that says, ‘Unf*cking the Republic.’ Support the show: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/unftr See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Mon, December 14, 2020
Capitalism.
The left claims America is proof that Capitalism is destroying the working class and the planet. The right claims America is proof that Capitalism is the most successful economic model in history. How much do we really understand about Capitalism? In this episode we unfuck Adam Smith’s chief contribution to the world and show how both sides are wrong because America is far from a capitalist economy. -- If you like #UNFTR, please leave us a rating and review on Apple Podcasts: unftr.com/rate and follow us on Facebook , Twitter and Instagram at @UNFTRpod. Visit us online at unftr.com . Buy yourself some Unf*cking Coffee at shop.unftr.com . Subscribe to Unf*cking The Republic on Substack at unftr.substack.com to get the essays these episode are framed around sent to your inbox every week. Visit our bookshop.org page at bookshop.org/shop/UNFTRpod to find the full UNFTR book list. Access the UNFTR Musicless feed by adding this direct RSS link into your podcast app. Full instructions here . Unf*cking the Republic is produced and engineered by Manny Faces Media , and written, hosted and distributed by Nunya Fuckin’ Bidness. Podcast art description: Image of the US Constitution ripped in the middle revealing white text on a blue background that says, ‘Unf*cking the Republic.’ Support the show: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/unftr See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Tue, November 17, 2020
The Violent States of America.
This week in Unf*cking the Republic we dive into U.S. interventions in the post-Vietnam War era. Starting with our recent meddling in Bolivia we work our way through the past few decades to review how the United States has either directly invaded, bombed, helped overthrow the governments of Laos, Cambodia, Lebanon, Syria, Grenada, Haiti, Cuba, Chile, Panama, Nicaragua, El Salvador, Iran, Guatemala, Afghanistan, Bosnia, Venezuela, Iraq, Pakistan, Somalia, Sudan, Indonesia and Yemen. Don’t worry, it’s just our way of spreading democracy and showing how much we love you. -- If you like #UNFTR, please leave us a rating and review on Apple Podcasts: unftr.com/rate and follow us on Facebook , Twitter and Instagram at @UNFTRpod. Visit us online at unftr.com . Buy yourself some Unf*cking Coffee at shop.unftr.com . Subscribe to Unf*cking The Republic on Substack at unftr.substack.com to get the essays these episode are framed around sent to your inbox every week. Visit our bookshop.org page at bookshop.org/shop/UNFTRpod to find the full UNFTR book list. Access the UNFTR Musicless feed by adding this direct RSS link into your podcast app. Full instructions here . Unf*cking the Republic is produced and engineered by Manny Faces Media , and written, hosted and distributed by Nunya Fuckin’ Bidness. Podcast art description: Image of the US Constitution ripped in the middle revealing white text on a blue background that says, ‘Unf*cking the Republic.’ Support the show: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/unftr See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Sat, November 07, 2020
An Election Interlude.
Greetings fellow unfuckers. A brief interlude to comment on the big election shitshow we just witnessed. -- If you like #UNFTR, please leave us a rating and review on Apple Podcasts: unftr.com/rate and follow us on Facebook , Twitter and Instagram at @UNFTRpod. Visit us online at unftr.com . Buy yourself some Unf*cking Coffee at shop.unftr.com . Subscribe to Unf*cking The Republic on Substack at unftr.substack.com to get the essays these episode are framed around sent to your inbox every week. Visit our bookshop.org page at bookshop.org/shop/UNFTRpod to find the full UNFTR book list. Access the UNFTR Musicless feed by adding this direct RSS link into your podcast app. Full instructions here . Unf*cking the Republic is produced and engineered by Manny Faces Media , and written, hosted and distributed by Nunya Fuckin’ Bidness. Podcast art description: Image of the US Constitution ripped in the middle revealing white text on a blue background that says, ‘Unf*cking the Republic.’ Support the show: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/unftr See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Wed, October 28, 2020
The American Propaganda Machine.
On this episode of Unf*cking the Republic we do a deep dive into the American system of propaganda and pull back the curtain on the tangled web of think tanks, lobbying groups, media organizations and corporations that live to fuck over the American people. We’ll demonstrate how dark money works its way through a labyrinth of special interest groups and emerges as public policy that looks and sounds patriotic and helpful but is actually designed to strip away your rights and generate profits for a handful of assholes. And we’ll show how groups like the Heritage Foundation help craft and sell these messages to turn people against their own best interests and make you believe the horse shit they’re peddling. -- If you like #UNFTR, please leave us a rating and review on Apple Podcasts: unftr.com/rate and follow us on Facebook , Twitter and Instagram at @UNFTRpod. Visit us online at unftr.com . Buy yourself some Unf*cking Coffee at shop.unftr.com . Subscribe to Unf*cking The Republic on Substack at unftr.substack.com to get the essays these episode are framed around sent to your inbox every week. Visit our bookshop.org page at bookshop.org/shop/UNFTRpod to find the full UNFTR book list. Access the UNFTR Musicless feed by adding this direct RSS link into your podcast app. Full instructions here . Unf*cking the Republic is produced and engineered by Manny Faces Media , and written, hosted and distributed by Nunya Fuckin’ Bidness. Podcast art description: Image of the US Constitution ripped in the middle revealing white text on a blue background that says, ‘Unf*cking the Republic.’ Support the show: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/unftr See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Tue, October 20, 2020
Freeze! It’s the… Military?
While the country wrestles with police brutality and protests, dividing between Black Lives Matter or Back the Blue, a bizarre phenomenon has been unfolding in policing under our noses for decades. It’s nearly impossible to tell the difference between domestic law enforcement and the military. That’s not by accident. In this episode we unfuck policing in America and find out how civil liberties are eroding and why cops have tanks. -- If you like #UNFTR, please leave us a rating and review on Apple Podcasts: unftr.com/rate and follow us on Facebook , Twitter and Instagram at @UNFTRpod. Visit us online at unftr.com . Buy yourself some Unf*cking Coffee at shop.unftr.com . Subscribe to Unf*cking The Republic on Substack at unftr.substack.com to get the essays these episode are framed around sent to your inbox every week. Visit our bookshop.org page at bookshop.org/shop/UNFTRpod to find the full UNFTR book list. Access the UNFTR Musicless feed by adding this direct RSS link into your podcast app. Full instructions here . Unf*cking the Republic is produced and engineered by Manny Faces Media , and written, hosted and distributed by Nunya Fuckin’ Bidness. Podcast art description: Image of the US Constitution ripped in the middle revealing white text on a blue background that says, ‘Unf*cking the Republic.’ Support the show: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/unftr See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Tue, October 13, 2020
Priorities: War, Wealth and Welfare.
Coronavirus exposed the American budget and monetary policy as giant myths. Turns out, we can afford to pay for just about anything we want. Unfortunately, until now it seems we’ve only wanted to pay for things like war and prisons. We demonize welfare, education and healthcare and protect billionaires like fragile little eggs. In this episode we unf*ck the national budget and expose the lies behind how it’s constructed. Show Notes: The Illusion of Free Markets: Punishment and the Myth of Natural Order: https://bookshop.org/a/23377/9780674066168 The Deficit Myth: Modern Monetary Theory and the Birth of the People's Economy: https://bookshop.org/a/23377/9781541736184 -- If you like #UNFTR, please leave us a rating and review on Apple Podcasts: unftr.com/rate and follow us on Facebook , Twitter and Instagram at @UNFTRpod. Visit us online at unftr.com . Buy yourself some Unf*cking Coffee at shop.unftr.com . Subscribe to Unf*cking The Republic on Substack at unftr.substack.com to get the essays these episode are framed around sent to your inbox every week. Visit our bookshop.org page at bookshop.org/shop/UNFTRpod to find the full UNFTR book list. Access the UNFTR Musicless feed by adding this direct RSS link into your podcast app. Full instructions here . Unf*cking the Republic is produced and engineered by Manny Faces Media , and written, hosted and distributed by Nunya Fuckin’ Bidness. Podcast art description: Image of the US Constitution ripped in the middle revealing white text on a blue background that says, ‘Unf*cking the Republic.’ Support the show: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/unftr See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Fri, October 09, 2020
Nothing is as it seems. America: 2020.
Welcome to Unf*cking the Republic (UNFTR). So what is this? Glad you asked. Long story short, and as you have no doubt observed, our little republic is fucked. On so many levels. The central objective of this podcast, however, isn’t to prove how fucked we are, but show that we’re fucked in ways we haven’t really considered. -- If you like #UNFTR, please leave us a rating and review on Apple Podcasts: unftr.com/rate and follow us on Facebook , Twitter and Instagram at @UNFTRpod. Visit us online at unftr.com . Buy yourself some Unf*cking Coffee at shop.unftr.com . Subscribe to Unf*cking The Republic on Substack at unftr.substack.com to get the essays these episode are framed around sent to your inbox every week. Visit our bookshop.org page at bookshop.org/shop/UNFTRpod to find the full UNFTR book list. Access the UNFTR Musicless feed by adding this direct RSS link into your podcast app. Full instructions here . Unf*cking the Republic is produced and engineered by Manny Faces Media , and written, hosted and distributed by Nunya Fuckin’ Bidness. Podcast art description: Image of the US Constitution ripped in the middle revealing white text on a blue background that says, ‘Unf*cking the Republic.’ Support the show: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/unftr See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Trailer · Fri, October 09, 2020
Introducing: Unf*cking The Republic.
Unf*cking The Republic (UNFTR) is a series of audio essays on the grand American experiment lovingly curated and presented by a quasi-anonymous political writer. Each essay reflects on a singular topic that is generally misunderstood or purposely obfuscated by the so-called “powers that be.” As we know, history is written by the victors and can be perilously manufactured to favor destructive world views. These views become intractably ingrained in the public consciousness and pervert public policy, oftentimes with horrific results. As of this podcast’s founding, we find ourselves living in a true kakistocracy. The disconnect between what we believe and what is actually happening below the surface or in plain sight is where this podcast lives. Together we’ll upend conventional wisdom, blow up narratives on the left, right and center and use magical devices like facts, logic and reason to explain how exactly we arrived in bizarro America, the funhouse mirror version of what was originally intended. #UNFTR -- If you like #UNFTR, please leave us a rating and review on Apple Podcasts: unftr.com/rate and follow us on Facebook , Twitter and Instagram at @UNFTRpod. Visit us online at unftr.com . Buy yourself some Unf*cking Coffee at shop.unftr.com . Subscribe to Unf*cking The Republic on Substack at unftr.substack.com to get the essays these episode are framed around sent to your inbox every week. Visit our bookshop.org page at bookshop.org/shop/UNFTRpod to find the full UNFTR book list. Access the UNFTR Musicless feed by adding this direct RSS link into your podcast app. Full instructions here . Podcast art description: Image of the US Constitution ripped in the middle revealing white text on a blue background that says, ‘Unf*cking the Republic.’ Support the show: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/unftr See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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